Cultural and Religious Traditions in Venice - Essay Example

Venice and St. Mark's in particular had very unique cultural and religious traditions. Since the cathedral was under the authority of the ruling doge instead of any religious power, Venice showed a different musical and liturgical tradition than Rome, though it was considered a strong Catholic stronghold. Venetians were very much fond of processions, ceremonies, and pomp. St. Mark's feast and Ascension Day were very significant. Celebrations like these promote not only nationalistic pride in Venetians, but also served to impress foreigners with Venice's wealth and importance. Instrumental works and choral madrigals accompanied the processions of the doge and other celebrations. But the center of Venetian music was St. Mark's cathedral itself. Built in the manner of eastern basilicas, it had 2 choir lofts with 2 organs that came to define Venetian music. Composers learned to write for separate choirs and develop the effects possible. This system of writing is called "cori spezzati". St. Mark’s building structure made polyphonic composition sound cluttered so composers begin to write music that was more homophonic emphasizing both sound and clarity of the text. These styles and techniques brought a large influence on composers all over Europe as Venice became the musical center of Italy.

Florence is another musical center in Italy. Some of its best musicians, artist, and scholars of the renaissance were supported by the cardinals from the Medici Family. Among the most remarkable composers were Bernardo Pisano, Philippe Verdelot, and Francesco de Layolle.

The dominance of the Franco-Flemish and Netherlandish composers is clearly illustrated in the careers of leading composers between 1450 and 1550. Most of them passed a large part of their lives in the service of the kings of France, the Pope of the Holy Roman Emperor. Many of them also worked in the courts and cities of Italy like Florence. These courts, in turn, were the chief centers for spreading the art of the French, Flemish, and Netherlandish composers.

Orfeo is widely known due to its dramatic power and remarkable orchestration. Monteverdi utilized 15 violas, 2 violins, 2 large and 2 ordinary flutes, 4 trumpets, 5 trombones, a harpsichord, a harp, 2 small organs, a portable reed organ, etc. Monteverdi demonstrated remarkable expressive power through his smooth combination of homophonic and contrapuntal part-writing, his faithful reflection of the text, and his free use of chromaticism and dissonances. In Orfeo, Monteverdi introduced an entirely new compositional style--dramma per musica, or musical drama. This opera, along with other Monteverdi's works, indicates the gradual transition toward a new musical idiom.