There is a common trope in music theory during the past twenty years that suggests that tonal voice-leading principles developed not solely through the contingencies of history but are also rooted in and constrained by physical and psychological phenomena. Much of this research explicates the specific ways in which perceptual priorities are reflected in compositional practice with particular regard to the tonal system. Given that tonality is the legacy of Renaissance and Medieval practices, it stands to reason that a close look at modal compositional practice can likewise suggest the perceptual priorities of composers and listeners of Renaissance polyphonic music. This essay will briefly examine some aspects of aural perception and the ways …show more content…
I will begin by discussing the perceptual principles most relevant to the topic at hand, after which I will proceed to demonstrate the ways in which composers exploited these principles to accomplish particular goals. However, it is important to make a few precautionary points so that undue conclusions are not drawn. First, it should be remembered that the psycho-acoustical points discussed below are only considered in terms of the effects particular pitch/rhythmic organizations have with regard to perceptual principles; the assumption being that composers exploited these techniques purposefully. As far as rhetorical agendas, text depiction, modal affects, and intertextual allusions are concerned, little can be said or assumed from the following discussion and any analysis along these lines will be similarly limited in scope. Likewise, it is well-known that composers were interested in incorporating symbolic features in their music that may or may not have been intended to be heard but should nonetheless be appreciated. Additionally, it should also be remembered that the Renaissance was a time of exploration and great change in practice. Many of the values held by musicians today were introduced or further developed during …show more content…
It is this perceptual observation and its concomitant prohibition of the overuse of perfect consonances that lends credence to the claim that voices were truly intended to be heard as distinct auditory streams (independent melodic strands) as opposed to harmonic configurations.
Lastly, Huron notes that stream segregation is also undermined by melodic lines that move in positively correlated directions. In other words, parallel motion is less desirable than similar motion, itself being less desirable than oblique or contrary motion, granted the independence of each line is regarded as a primary goal. Since this injunction is highly valued in the style, it is safe to assume that independence between melodic strands, stream segregation, truly was a goal of the compositional
1. Narrow-ranging, dynamically restrained modal melodies are played in a variety of tuning temperaments that generate an "illogical" modal harmonic succession. 2. An unrestricted range of multimeters, polymeters, and complex rhythms are used. 3. A texture of two or more independent and equally important melodies accompany one another (i.e., polyphony). 4. The formal construction is often vague and unclear. 5. The instrumentarium is unrestricted and nonstandardized.
Suggested by the very remarkable interest taken in the music in the works of the ancient Greek philosophers, our attempt¡Xa semiotic attempt¡Xwould succeed in getting us closer to the meaning of what is called "the ethos of music" in the civilization of ancient Greeks.
The Renaissance can be considered an artistic period between the end of the Middle Age and the start of the Modern Age. The cultural movement touched every part of Europe but its origin and development are in Florence. This period is a synonym, a symbol of “change” in all the aspect of the humankind: it is the celebration of
...ings that can be seen in the use of word painting in the first stanza on the words “flight and falling” and “to carry a man up into the sun.” While the similarities between the pieces are fleeting both are able to take advantage of imitative polyphony and word painting to tell the same story in very unique and different ways.
...on music that have continued to thrive in American music. The English Renaissance had made a drastic effect on modern day spiritual, secular, and instrumental music.
The Renaissance period of history occurred during the 15th and 16th centuries. Renaissance in its basic definition means rebirth. According to Merriam Webster, renaissance formally means, “a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary). Renaissance is the title given to the period of great change in music and art. The Renaissance period ushered in a culture of music that the public could enjoy. Most importantly it was a period that encouraged musicians and composers to create music and take risks with voices, instruments and notes.
As a conclusion, Renaissance is an important event throughout the world. It changes world from being in depressions into being into developing lifestyles. This event so impresses me.
From the Early Renaissance to the High Renaissance, there was a movement from vocal music to a combination of vocal and instrumental music (Brown, 1976). There are seven categories of instrumental music: 1) vocal music played by instruments, 2) settings of pre-existing melodies, 3) variation sets, 4) ricercars, fantasias, and canzonas, 5) preludes, preambles, and toccatas for solo instruments, 6) dance music, and 7) songs composed specifically for lute and solo voice (Brown, 1976). Italy dominated the stage for instrumental music at this time, and it was not until the last decades of the sixteenth century that English instrumental music became popular (Brow...
The Renaissance means the rebirth of ancient learning. The renaissance can be divided into two parts Early Renaissance (1420-1500) and High Renaissance (1500-1520). The Renaissance era was one of the most productive time periods in history as far as the advancement of music goes. At first it was rigid, structu...
This time era was filled with many good things that allow modern life to exist. The Renaissance was a time of many new ideas and many new practices in medicine, entertainment, punishments and many other topics. Without the knowledge that was gained in this era many things that we take for granted now would never of existed. In this essay I will tell you about the many things that occurred during this time period and how people in this time would have lived their daily lives.
The music was so well loved during the renaissance that you can read, play, and sing music your and essential person. Even King Henry VIII was a very musical person since he loved to play and sing music. I found this to be interesting since music effects all of our lives today, I have always wonder if music affected people’s livelihoods during the renaissance? I found this to be true since many composers during this time use different structures, modes, rhythms, and melodies. The most known structure from this era is the paratactic form. The paratactic form is the assembly that contains a series of more or less separate units. The mode was used in the renaissance was the eight-mode system that was also used during the medieval times. The melody that was used during the renaissance was the conjunct motion. The conjunct motion is a melodic concept, which based on completely or mainly by half or whole steps. The rhythm that used during this time period was tactics. Tactus is a progressive measurement of the different beats. All of the composers would use these musical styles to create music. All of these musical styles affected the way older composers would make their music since they were used to make the traditional music instead they had to keep up with the current ways or else
The Renaissance is often referred to as one of the most influential periods of time throughout the development and course of human life on this planet. During this era, society saw a large awakening in interest in art, philosophy, and music. This lead to mass development and experimentation with new types of music especially. For example, people shifted their focus of creating musical pieces for a church environment and began to branch out and write for both pleasure and praise. Two composers in particular in this age, Josquin des Prez and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, were significantly involved in the transition between making music solely for religious instances and producing it for secular purposes. Their influence on the music produced
The Renaissance can be identified as a creative time, marking a transition from an agricultural to urban society, in which trade carried a greater importance. New technology and ways of thinking allowed people to better understand their past, and the world they lived in today. Creative minds had a rekindled interest in Rome and Greece. In contrast the medieval scholars, Renaissance thinkers concentrated more on human experience. Along with a new way of thinking, another Renaissance ideal was a spirit of adventure. This new spirit allowed for people to explore new worlds and reconsider old ones.
The Renaissance was a time of change. It began in Italy during the 14th century, and spread throughout the North. People all over Europe were affected, for the better and for the worse. Some people finally had a chance to control their own fate. Others, like upper class women, lost their social status. The values and purposes of Renaissance education were to improve the society, increase the economy, and restore the religious beliefs.
This period can be credited for aiding in the creation of numerous modern genres. During the Renaissance period, a lot of music became secular and mixed a lot of the techniques from sacred hymns, exemplifying the church's loss of control on society as the bourgeoisie rose in power. Therefore, any music that's not associated with the church derives some influence from Renaissance music. A capella groups came to existence for this very reason; plainchant's unaccompanied sound was added to secular music. In addition, any polyphonic song originated, in part, from the Renaissance period, since this was the era when polyphonic texture was