Musical Evolution: Renaissance and Baroque Eras

Renaissance Music: 1400 to 1600

The Renaissance is a French term meaning rebirth. This period, spanning from 1400 to 1600, saw a revival of interest in ancient culture, specifically ancient Greece and Rome. Humanism emerged, giving humanity a central place in the universe.

The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg helped spread musical scores. The Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, created the choral, which is a homophonic religious song in German accompanied by an organ. Anglicanism featured the Simple Song, a polyphonic work for religious services. The Counter-Reformation was the reaction of the Catholic Church against the Protestants.

Religious and Secular Vocal Forms

• Mass: A polyphonic work performed a cappella.
• Motet: A short polyphonic choral piece, unaccompanied.
• Madrigal: Used in Italy and England, this is a very expressive song for several voices featuring elaborate polyphonic counterpoint.
• Chanson: A French polyphonic song often using onomatopoeia, which are words imitating sounds.
• Villancico: A form very popular in the court of Catholic monarchs in Spain.

The Baroque Era: Ornamentation and Drama

Baroque (or barocco) originates from the Portuguese term pérola deformada (deformed pearl). This style is characterized by being ornamented, elaborate, and exaggerated.

Musical Elements and Instruments

The basso continuo is a melodic part with accompaniment chords played by a keyboard. Baroque music was performed by an orchestra based on woodwind instruments. Key instruments included:

• Harpsichord: A string and keyboard instrument that provides harmonies. It features two manual keyboards and does not produce dynamics; it was frequently employed for the basso continuo.
• Organ: A wind and keyboard instrument very popular in the Baroque era. It was associated with church music and used as a solo or accompaniment instrument.

Dynamics are shifts from loud to soft, while character refers to how you feel when you listen to the music.

Opera and Vocal Genres

• Overture: An instrumental piece played by the orchestra.
• Recitative: Fragments accompanied by the harpsichord.
• Aria: Melodic fragments that are more expressive.
• Chorus: Performed by a group of singers.

The first opera was L'Orfeo by Monteverdi.

Religious and Instrumental Compositions

• Oratorio: A piece of religious music for a choir, solo voices, and orchestra.
• Passion: A similar genre based on Christ's passion, including the crucifixion; the most important composer was Bach.
• Cantatas: Similar to the oratorio but much shorter, these are part of Protestant church services.
• Chorals: Mixed for four voices with organ, sung during Protestant church services.
• Sonata: A musical composition for one or more solo instruments.
• Suite: A musical composition consisting of brief instrumental movements.
• Concerto: A concert for the use of instruments and orchestra.

Instrument Categories and Composers

Instruments were categorized by their setting:

• Intimate instruments: Lute, violin, viola, and recorder.
• Outside instruments: Trumpet, drum, cornet, and tambourine.

The most important composers of this era were Vivaldi, Handel, and Bach.