Secular Vocal Types of the 16th Century

Question 1

Frotolla

Answer 1

the predecessor of the Madrigal; generally homophonic, strophic; simple and straight forward.

Question 2

Madrigal

Answer 2

The principal Italian secular polyphonic genre of the 16th century. Early madrigal is similar to the frottola; rather homophonic, often 4 parts.

Question 3

subject matter of Madrigal

Answer 3

pastoral stories, chivalric love, erotic and sensual experiences.

Question 4

Mature madrigal

Answer 4

Becomes more through composed
More polyphonic – alternates between imitative and homophonic
Text painting becomes the principal stylistic feature

Question 5

Principal Italian (Madrigal) 16th century composers

Answer 5

• *Cipriano de Rore:** Da le belle contrade d’oriente
• *Luca Marenzio**: *Solo e pensso *
• *Carlo Gesualdo:** extreme chromaticism and almost atonal style e.g., “Io parto” e no più dissi
• *Claudio Monteverdi:** leads into baroque style through Madrigal:

Question 6

French Chansons

Answer 6

• Becomes more descriptive, generally simpler counterpoint, lighter
• .Texts are either dramatic, or pastoral and descriptive of nature, springtime, etc.

Question 7

Programmatic Chasons

Answer 7

describe an event or certain sounds of nature: onomatopoeia
e.g., Clement Jannequin: Song of the Birds
The Battle
The Lark

Question 8

Vers Mesuré

Answer 8

attempt to pattern the rhythm of the music after the quantitative rhythms of the text: (inspiration from the classical setting of Latin poetry)

Question 9

English Madrigal

Answer 9

Introduced into England in 1588 through the publication Musica Transalpina – English composers imitated the Italian approach.
Generally somewhat less serious and lofty.

Question 10

Ballett

Answer 10

a dance-like song in strophic form with Fa – la – la refrains.