MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE AND THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD In the 13 century, music became more elaborate.

In forms, several words can be sung at the same time. But th religious changes in the 16 century brought demands from vocal music in which the words could be heard clearly. It resulted to a simpler church music. RENAISSANCE MUSIC (1450-1600) I. Musical Style The vocal forms of this period were marked by smoothly gliding melodies conceived for the voice. Most church music was written in a capella style Solo instruments were famous especially flute and keyboard Women played an active role in music II. Sacred Music Music played an important role in the ritual of the church in addition to the monophonic Gregorian chant, music for church services included the polyphonic setting of the Mass, motets and hymns. 1. Mass the ritual of the Eucharist, celebrated primarily in the Catholic church, has given rise to a large musical repertory. The Proper the sections that vary from day to day; the Ordinary the fixed portion of the Mass that was sung daily. a. Kyrie the first section of the mass is a prayer for mercy that dates from the early centuries of Christianity. b. Gloria Glory be to God in the High is a joyful hymn of praise that is omitted in the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent c. Credo I believe ib one God, the Father Almighty is the confession of faithful and the longest of the Mass texts d. Sanctus Holy, holy, holy which concludes with the Hosanna (Hosanna in the highest) e. Agnus Dei Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world is sung three times. Twice it concluded with miserere nobis (have mercy on us) and the third time with the prayer dona nobis pacem (grant us peace) 2. Motet a French word meaning word. It became a sacred form with a single Latin text, for use of the Mass and other religious services. Motets in praise of the Virgin Mary were extremely popular because of the many religious groups all over Europe devoted to Mary. III. Secular Music Most prosperous homes had a lute, a keyboard instrument, and the study of music was part of the proper upbringing for a young girl. 1. Chanson It was the favorite at the courts of the dukes of Burgundy and the kings of France which are considered great patrons of the arts. It is written for three voices. 2. Madrigal was an aristocratic form of poetry-and-music that flourished at the small Italian courts, where it was a favorite diversion of cultivated amateurs. The texts consists of a short poem of lyric or reflective character, often including the emotional words for weeping, sighing, trembling and dying. BAROQUE MUSIC Baroque comes from the Portuguese word meaning, a pearl of irregular shape. 1. Opera a musical dramatic work in which the actors sing some or all of their parts. 2. Cantata from the Italian word, cantare, to sing that is a piece to be sung. It is a work for solo vocalists, chorus, an instrumentalists based on a lyric or dramatic poem. To Lutherans in which JS Bach belonged, it was an integral part of the church service, related along with the sermon and prayers that followed it, to the Gospel of the day. a. chorale is a hymn tune, especially associated with German Protestantism. 3. Oratorio one of the great Baroque vocal forms, which descended from the religious play-with-music of the Counter-Reformation. It came from an Italian word meaning a place of prayer. It was based on a biblical story and performed in a church without scenery, costumes or acting. The action is done with the help of a narrator. 4. Concerto concentare meaning to contend a. solo concerto concerto for solo instrument and an accompanying instrumental group b. concerto grosso was based on opposition between a small group of instruments, the concertino, and a larger group, the tutti or ripieno (full)
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5. Suite an ordered set of instrumental pieces meant to be performed at a single sitting. Some or all of them based on the forms and styles of dance music 6. Fugue derived from the Latin word fuga meaning flight, implying a flight or fancy or possibly the flight of the theme from one voice to the other. JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH The aim and final reason of all music should be nothing else but the glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit. Bach was born of a family that supplied musicians to the churches and town bands. He was raised by his older brother when he was orphaned at the age of ten. At twenty three, he was appointed court organist and chamber musician to the Duke of Weimer. He has two marriages and produced nineteen offspring. Four of his sons became leading composers of the next generation. After a stroke and several operations from cataracts, he was blinded. Yet he continued his last task, revising eighteen chorale preludes for the organ. The dying master dictated to a son-in-law the last chorale, Before thy Throne, My God, I Stand. His compositions were Branderburg Concerto No. 4, Prelude and Fugue No. 1, Concerto in D Minor for two violins, to name a few. GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL My Lord, I should be sorry if I only entertained them. I wished to make them better. He was born in Germany, the son of a prosperous barber-surgeon. At the age of twenty five, he was appointed conductor to the Elector of Hanover. While Bach was paid only eight dollars, Handel received fifteen hundred dollars a year. His great opportunity came when he was appointed the musical director at an Italian opera. His Julius Caesar was one of his finest works in the line of opera seria. Handel suffered the same affliction as Bach loss of eyesight from cataracts. Like Bach, he dictated his last works.Yet he continued to appear in public, conducting his oratorio and performing on the organ. In 1759, after conducting his most famous oratorio, Messiah, he collapsed in the theater and died some days later. His other compositions were The Water Music