Renaissance Motet

Question 1

What were the differences between Renaissance and Medieval Motet?

Answer 1

13th century: 3 voices, based on a cantus firmus, featured polytextuality and combined both sacred and secular elements
14th century: Ars nova style brought a greater complexity in rhythm, harmony and counterpoint yet it was still polytextual and included 3 voices
15th century: Based on a single text, 4 voices, even more complexity
(Renaissance)

Question 2

What is imitative counterpoint?

Answer 2

A type of counterpoint that involved imitation (Renaissance)

Question 3

What are points of imitation?

Answer 3

In imitative counterpoint, a series of thematic entries where a motive is passed between voices (Renaissance)

Question 4

What is homorhythmic texture?

Answer 4

It is a texture where all voices sing the same rhythm, resulting in a clear delivery of text when combined with syllabic text setting with the listener’s attention drawn to the top voice. This is a type of homophonic texture (Renaissance)

Question 5

ALL CHARACTERISTICS OF AVE MARIA …. VIRGO SERENA

Answer 5

Genre: Motet
Composer: Josquin des Prez
Composition date: 1485
Text: Rhymed Poem
Language: Latin
Title translation: Hail Mary
Performing forces: 4 voices, a capella
Texture: Polyphonic
Meter: Duple but changes to triple
(Renaissance)

Question 6

What is the structure of Ave Maria … Virgo Serena?

Answer 6

1. Opening Couplet: Resembles plainchant Ave Maria but is polyphonic and features points of imitation
2. First Quatrain: Features paired imitation
3. Second Quatrain: Homorhythmic texture
4. Third Quatrain: Imitative duet
5. Fourth Quatrain: Homorhythm changes meter to triple
6. Fifth Quatrain: Imitation
7. Closing couplet: Homorhythmic texture
8. Amen
   (Renaissance)