Overview
This lecture covered the main elements of music and focused on the characteristics, forms, and composers of Renaissance period music, as part of modules 1 and 2.
Elements of Music (Recap)
- Pitch refers to how high or low a note sounds.
- Rhythm consists of sounds and silences arranged into patterns and beats.
- Melody is a pleasing combination of pitch and rhythm forming the main theme.
- Timbre (sound quality) distinguishes different voices or instruments.
- Dynamics indicate how loud or soft the music is, including crescendo (getting louder) and decrescendo (softer).
- Texture describes how sound is organized; types include polyphonic (multiple melodies), monophonic (single melody), and homophonic (melody with harmony).
- Tempo is the speed of the music; common types are adagio (slow), andante (moderate), moderato (medium), and allegro (fast).
- Binary form consists of two sections, A and B, repeated throughout the piece.
Renaissance Period Music
- The Renaissance ("rebirth") period emphasized innovation, exploration, and revival in music.
- Music was mainly sung, either as large choral works in church or as madrigals for social events.
- Characteristics include polyphonic texture, use of imitation, word painting, flowing melodic lines, and melodies that are mostly stepwise.
Vocal Music Forms in the Renaissance
- Mass is a sacred musical composition for church, usually polyphonic, sometimes a cappella, and has five main sections: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus & Benedictus, Agnus Dei.
- Madrigal is a secular (non-religious) vocal composition, polyphonic, a cappella, with three to six voices, and performed at social gatherings.
Notable Renaissance Composers
- Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: Greatest Roman Catholic church music composer; known for "Pope Marcellus Mass".
- Thomas Morley: Famous for secular music; known for works like "Fire, Fire, my Heart" and "April is in my Mistress' Face".
Key Terms & Definitions
- Pitch — How high or low a note sounds.
- Timbre — The tone color or quality of a sound.
- Dynamics — The volume of music, including changes from loud to soft.
- Texture — How multiple sounds are combined (polyphonic, monophonic, homophonic).
- Tempo — The speed of a composition.
- Polyphonic — Multiple independent melodies played simultaneously.
- A cappella — Singing without instrumental accompaniment.
- Madrigal — Secular vocal composition, usually polyphonic.
- Mass — Sacred choral music used in church services.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete the activities in modules 1 and 2 (answers only).
- Submit activities online or on an answer sheet as instructed.
- Prepare for module 3 and 4 discussion next week.