Renaissance Music - A Quick Guide

The Renaissance Music Period is from c.1400-1600. It covers a period of time in history where there were great changes across a wide range of aspects of life from arts to architecture, from voyages of discovery to a reformation of beliefs. Many thinkers, artists and musicians were inspired by a "re-birth" of ideas from classical Greek and Roman civilisations. https://www.musictheoryacademy.com/periods-of-music/renaissance-music/ This video looks at the typical characteristics of Renaissance music, including polyphony, a clearer sense of structure and rhythmic order. The first example played is "Lamentations I" by Thomas Tallis, performed by The Tudor Consort. The video examines the sacred music of the period amidst the continued predominance of the Catholic church. Polyphonic masses in Latin and the use of modal counterpoint are discussed. An example performance of William Byrd's "Credo" by Ensemble Morales is played. The secular music of the Renaissance period is also explored. The importance of the courts who provided finance for the musicians is discussed and examples of typical songs, such as the chanson, Lied and madrigal are given. An example of Monteverdi's "Cruda Amarilli" performed by MIT Chorus is given. Renaissance instruments are introduced, including the lute, sackbut, keyboard instruments and viol da gamba. A number of renaissance composers are listed as recommended listening. In addition, a performance of "Mille Regretz" by Josquin Des Prez (performed by Collegium Vocale) is played. All performances are used under the relevant Creative Commons Licenses and the links to the relevant groups are listed below. I would very much encourage you to listen to more of these groups' recordings: https://www.tudor-consort.org.nz/ https://www.collegiumvocale.com/en/ https://mta.mit.edu/music/performance/mit-chamber-chorus