Music in Rennaissance - Essay Example

? Music in the Renaissance Music in the Renaissance Introduction Renaissance is a term used to describe the period between 1400 and 1600. This period saw increased humanism accompanied by discoveries and explorations. It is during this period that modernization started. This paper seeks to discuss how music in the renaissance took a great step towards modern times. It will further relate a synonymous composer with the musical structure of the period. It is, however, worth looking at the social, economical and political ideologies of this period before discussing the aspect of music. The renaissance period This period got characterized by a significant revolution in the whole of Europe. The wealthy class in the society was pushing for more involvement in the education system than there was at that time. They got worried that the catholic scholasticism only emphasized the spiritual growth of the youth. It never looked at the educational pursuits which would lead to discovery on the overall improvement of the human life. They used the word ‘the renaissance man’ to describe those who had opted to follow the way of education and theory rather than following the way of God and religion. A renaissance man was expected to be a mastery of everything that he did. He was not to rely on faith but rather have a questioning mind that sought to provide answers to any mystery of life (Fenlon, 2002). The modern idea of a nation began during the renaissance period (Fenlon, 2002). This was may be one of the best accomplishments of the wealthy class who were lobbying for modernization. They were able to establish countries with a central government. They also diversified trade. People were able to engage in trade in a more meaningful way than they could afford before. For these reasons, the wealthy class always took ‘pride’ of modernizing Europe. Music in the renaissance Music in the renaissance period took a great change from the previous era. During this period, artists could produce music that indicated more freedom in the way they expressed themselves in their music. Before, music just like other pieces of art had so many restrictions. These restrictions varied from how it got composed, the content of the music and the way in which it got delivered. The music before can be described as that which was preservative. The freedom helped the artists to improve on their creativity. They had more issues in the society to compose music than they had during the medieval era (Tyler & Sparks, 2007). A new concept got invented on how music ought to relate to the words it sets. During the medieval period, music composers mostly connected music to its verbal texts through form. However, in the renaissance period, composers specialized on matching rhythms and melodies in music. This was, unlike their predecessors. This proved to be one of the best innovations of this period as it allowed for great improvement in the quality of music produced (Fenlon, 2002). The great musicians of this period started been recognized and appreciated during their lifetime. This was unlike the past when they were only appreciated after death. There were also developments in the printing techniques. People were able to preserve their music in better forms than they could afford before. This also helped improve the quality of music (Tyler & Sparks, 2007). Music in the renaissance was smooth and imitative. The style of imitation was used in the composing as well as the performing of musical arts. Secular music started getting appreciation and inculcated into the society. This was a thing which was not permissible in the medieval era. The only acceptable music was sacred music. The aspect of the introduction of secular music can be attributed to the fact that people had become more liberal than they had been before. This period also saw the invention of several musical instruments which can still be used today. One of the significant achievements was the invention of two keyboard instruments. The keyboard instruments were the clavichord and the virginal. In additional to the inventions, many instruments, which existed before, this period got enhanced. This improved the quality as well as the time taken to compose music. The flute was the most common instrument among the people of the time. During the renaissance period, instrumental dancing got introduced. People could now accompany their music with dancing. The strict sacred music in the medieval era did not allow this. This can be seen as an effect of the liberal minds that were cropping up who wanted to break away from the strict religion way of life. Dance forms later got embraced and modified by the composers who followed this period. Music composers could also be employed in churches and courts. Most of them received training in churches where boys could be trained sacred music. This could be seen by many as a breakthrough on how the society was viewing music. This ensured that they could compose music when they became adults. Music now became commercialized as people could earn a living from it. Commercializing music brought healthy competition, which further improved, the quality of music. Renaissance music could be based on modal scales. This modal scales could be characterized by the finals of C, D, E, F, G, A and flat B. Key signatures with no accidentals became general. There were also rare cases where two or three flats could be found. In writing their music, renaissance composers in most cases left pitches unwritten. They, however, expected their performers to include them as essential knowledge that they should be there (Mengozzi, 2010). Most renaissance music had scores of three to six voices. The number of scores could be seen to have kept on increasing throughout the renaissance period. The different voices, however, employed similar melodies and rhythm. They formed what came to be known as medieval polyphonic piece. One significant characteristics of these voices is that they had to be heard as independent voices while also having their own independent lines (Murray et al, 2010). William Byrd (1543-1623) William Byrd can be regarded by many as the greatest English composer of all time. He got referred to by many as the father of music. He was the son of a musician. William seemed to possess a rather vast talent (Lockwood, 2009). During the 19th century, music started using modes in its composition. During William’s time, English music was still not much developed. It was in a stage of transition. Composers were moving from the horizontal modes to vertical structures. Keyboard music was one of William’s main compositions. His works in keyboard could be used to teach in a school. This was a significant achievement for William Byrd. Most of William’s work in keyboard could be circulated in manuscripts in the 1570’s. However, he later released a publication which got titled, my layde nevells booke. This was his first publication and arguably one of the best pieces of art music released during this period. William Byrd worked closely with Thomas Tallis. They jointly got permission by the queen of England to participate in the business that sought to promote music. This included printing, importing and sale of music. This was a high achievement in their work together. Upon the death of Thomas Tallis, William Byrd applied more of his time to musical works. The death of his compatriot seemed to have triggered something in him (Kmetz, 2006). In the following three years, William Byrd managed to produce four collections of his own music. He further released two secular collections. Byrd continued to take part in music works. He specialized in virginal and organ music. This music was very important in the development of the English keyboard. It also set the pace for other English composers who came after him. However, unlike most of the music works of the renaissance period, Byrd’s secular music is conservative. It could be regarded as old-fashioned by the composers who followed him. His secular work also used solo voice, which could also, be regarded as old fashioned. By producing a wide range of musical works, Byrd distinguished himself as one of the most accomplished composers of the renaissance period (Ongaro, 2003). It is worth noting that William remained faithful to his catholic religion despite producing work on secular music. This could be shown in his life where though he released secular music, he participated in church activities including producing music for the church. In his last prayer, William says that he hopes to live and die in his Catholic Church way of life. He further says that is not possible without the Catholic Church (Kite-Powell, 2007). While the last statement may be controversial, it does serve to show us that William Byrd indeed remained committed to his religion. Conclusion The renaissance period was a turning point to modernization in the world. Music in this period experienced changes that can still be felt today. Modern music can indeed trace some of its most of its aspects to this period. This includes the commercializing of music as well as inventions on new tools of music. This period can, therefore, be described as an important stage in the revolution of music. There is a need to preserve all pieces of art from this period for the current generation and the generations to follow. This will serve as a source of national heritage to every country that undertakes to preserve such arts. References Fenlon, I. A. (2002). Music and culture in late Renaissance Italy. Oxford [u.a.: Oxford Univ. Press Kite-Powell, J. T. (2007). A performer's guide to Renaissance music. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. Kmetz, J. (2006). Music in the German Renaissance: Sources, styles, and contexts. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Lockwood, L. (2009). Music in Renaissance Ferrara 1400-1505: The creation of a musical center in the fifteenth century. Oxford: Oxford University Press Mengozzi, S. (2010). The Renaissance reform of medieval music theory: Guido of Arezzo between myth and history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Murray, R. E., Weiss, S. F., & Cyrus, C. J. (2010). Music education in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Ongaro, G. M. (2003). Music of the renaissance. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press. Tyler, J., & Sparks, P. (2007). The guitar and its music: From the Renaissance to the classical era. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Read More