10 Things Every Musician MUST Know about Renaissance # Music :  Introduction to the Renaissance (c. 1450-1600) 1. "Renaissance" is the French word for "Rebirth" And rebirth it was. A new age of discovery and the exploration of what it meant to be human (humanism). A period of innovation and invention with greats like Leonardo da Vinci ,Michelangelo, and Shakespeare. The spirit of humanism led to intellectual pursuits and study of the classics of Greek andRoman times. There was an explosion of talent in literature, the sciences, music, and fine arts. 2. The Renaissance Man The idea of the "Renaissance Man" or the " Universal Man " led to an education that was well-rounded in the sciences, philosophy, literature, art, and music. Music was an integral part of the Renaissance. William Shakespeare referred to music in his works well over three hundred times. Quote from the Merchant of Venice : "The Man that hath no music in him...

(Text in LARGE print for classroom projection) BAROQUE ERA 1600-1750 Following the Protestant Reformation and the Renaissance , Europe experienced a time of absolute monarchy and luxury abandon referred to as the Baroque Period. "Baroque" has been associated with overly ornamental and elaborate art. Artists and musicians found that they had new patrons in the middle class , as well as royalty. The new middle class was made up of merchants, professionals, and successful businessmen. Monarchs like Louis the XIV attempted to impress through lavish parties and ridiculously large castles like Versailles . Absolute monarchs enjoyed throwing lavish celebrations, commissioning works like ballets, operas, and plays. They employed musicians like Bach to create these works. Architecture of the time was extravagant to a fault. Baroque Art The Art of the Baroque period experimented with contrast of colors and light, as well as imbuing art with seduction and sexuality, even in regards...

Image via Wikipedia (Text in LARGE print for classroom projection) The Renaissance The Renaissance was an age of human discovery in the sciences, literature, arts, and music. Renaissance composers wrote both sacred and secular texts. The Protestant Reformation (1517) brought about a conflict for many composers, who often had to write music for a patron that did not share the same religious faith. For example, Renaissance composer William Byrd , who was Catholic, had to write music that would please his Protestant patron, Queen Elizabeth I. Catholic sacred texts continued to be written in Latin. The Protestant Churches , however, had music in various languages. Composers found that they could make a living creating music for the new Protestant church. During the Counter-Reformation, Catholic composers returned to writing music in Latin. The Renaissance was an age of prosperity. Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World also helped the entire European continent . Goods and g...