Ars Nova
 (New art / new way)
14th century, replaced Ars Antiqua (Old Method) of the 13th century.

14th century Europe...
Increasing urbanization.
Dissent in catholic Church.
Increased Seculatization.
Leading toward the
Age of Humanism.

Artistic Style:
Poems & dramas of the
Age of Chivalry
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
Dante's epic poem , the Devine Comedy

RENAISSANCE: Rebirth

Church not the only patron of the arts.
Reformation: 1517 Martin Luther.
Counter-Reformation: 1545-63
The Council of Trent.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles+:
Italians Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci,
Raphael, Botticelli, and Bellini.

Music:
The Golden Age of Polyphony.
Netherlands "a capella" style.
Modes prevail, but major/minor tonality is sometimes implied.
Composers: Josquin des Prez, Palestrina, and many more.
Renaissance Motet.

Renaissance Motet:
Wider range of expression than the Mass.
Sung in Latin.
Reverent in mood.
Word Painting.
Through-Composed.
Imitative polyphony.
 
Josquin des Pres
(c. 1445-1521)

At the time, considered the
greatest composer who had ever lived.
Masses, motets, secular songs.
Frequent use of word painting.
Used secular tunes in Masses,
which did not please the Council ot Trent.
Polyphonic complexity of masses made it
difficult to understand the words.
Josquin skillfully organized the voices so the
words could be clearly understood.
 

Josquin des Pres
(c. 1445-1521)

Ave Maria Gratia Plena
Palestrina,
the "Prince of Music"
(c. 1524-1594)

Italian composer who adapted Josquin's techniques.
[Josquin: innovator. Palestrina: conservative.]
Sensitive to the Council of Trent, therefore
words are easy to understand in his music.
Use of thirds and sixth make for a full sonority.
Used polyphonic techniques and modes.
Legend says he saved polyphony from the Council of Trent.
Avoided extremes. Implied homophony.
Cool, objective, elegant style;
Renaissance traits of balance order and repose.

Listening:

Palestrina: "Agnus Dei"
from the Pope Marcellus Mass

Ex. 7, page 77

Protestant Reformation
(1517)
Martin Luther
Easy to learn tunes in worship service, in vernacular (not Latin).
Lutheran Chorale (accompanied).
John Calvin (Switzerland)
Psalm Tunes. Psalter.
(Metered verse, unaccompanied)


Secular Music in the Renaissance
16th c. Italian Madrigal
English Madrigal
(see page 81 to contrast motet and madrigal)

Word Painting /
Madrigalisms

Madrigals originated in Italy, but became very popular in England.
Listening:

English Madrigal
Thomas Weelkes:
As Vesta Was from
Latmos Hill Descending 

Ex. 8, page 82
DON CARLO GESUALDO
(c.1560-1613)

...the subject of a brilliant biography by Gray and Heseltine entitled Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, Musician and Murderer - he is unique!  Having had his first wife and her lover (Don Fabrizio de Carafa) murdered, he went on to marry Leonora d'Este, daughter of the Duke of Ferrara.  Settling in Naples, he wrote six books of madrigals (pub. 1585), almost all of which are extremely chromatic and dissonant and many of which deal with the subject of death! 
(Psychobiographers have a field day with him!)

Gesualdo was one of the many composers who exhibited characteristics of both the
old (Renaissance) and new (Baroque) styles.

Listening:

Madrigal
Gesualdo:

Moro Lasso 

Ex. 10, page 93