Chapter 10/11- Sacred and Secular Music 16th C

Question 1

What famous composer in this era has been called “the Prince of Music”? And what did he do that changed music?

Answer 1

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina- he saved polyphony from condemnation by the Council of Trent. The text in the mass was very clear and preserved, along with beautiful harmonies that composers today imitate.

Question 2

What instrument became popular in this era?

Answer 2

Lutes

Question 3

What was a chorale?

Answer 3

The most important form of music in the Lutheran church also known as the congregational hymn where the congregation would sing choruses with the performers

Question 4

What were the four main sources for writing chorales?

Answer 4

1. adaptions of Gregorian chants
2. existing German devotional songs
3. Secular songs given new words (called contrafactum)
4. new compositions

Question 5

What is a chorale motet?

Answer 5

A chorale that uses techniques from the Franco-Flemish motets- cantus firmus is in relatively long notes surrounded by free or imitative polyphony

Question 6

What is cantional style?

Answer 6

A style developed Lutheran composers where the highest voice carried the tune accompanied by block chords with little contrapuntal figuration.

Question 7

What are metrical psalms?

Answer 7

Metric, rhymed, strophic translations of psalms in the venacular that were set to new melodies for chant
They were published in collections called psalters