#Composers of medieval period full#

There is much evidence to support the reputation that this English composer has attracted. This creates a choral piece of magnificent textural complexity and stands as an extemporary Renaissance Motet. It is an impressive work composed for eight choirs, each with five voices. “Spem In Alium” is probably the best-known of Tallis’s substantial output. Later he found royal favour and secured a post at the Royal Chapel composing for monarchs including Henry VIII, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth the later who granted him a twenty-one-year monopoly on polyphonic music. We also know he was an organist as one of his first appointments was at Dover College in Kent. There is little reliable information about his early years but it is likely Tallis like many of his contemporaries, began life as a chorister. Tallis was an English composer, and one of the most important figures in Renaissance music. True or not what we have is a choral composition that represents one of the most stunning settings of this text and one of the most exquisite works from the Renaissance.

The story that has encircled this composition is that Mozart had heard the work performed on a visit to the Sistine Chapel in Rome and was so impressed by the beauty of the work notated it afterwards with only one hearing. It is a setting for nine voices of the 51 st Psalm ( Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnum misercordiuam tuam).

He was by all accounts a devoted and pure man whose compositions were dominated by vocal works, this perhaps being the most renowned. It would be a mistake in this article not to include the “Miserere” by the Italian composer Allegri. This is a motet is beautifully transparent in spite of its textural complexities that neatly captures the essence of the Renaissance. An equally distinguished work of from this Italian master is the “Stabat Mater” for eight unaccompanied voices. It is a pure and delicate work that shows Palestrina at the height of his musical powers. One of Palestrina’s most enjoyed compositions is the “Missa Aeterna Christi munera”, originally composed for four voices. Palestrina’s output was impressive and as you might expect comprised Masses, Motets, Madrigals and Hymns. He represents to many, the Italian composer whose mastery of counterpoint and melody was almost second to none. Giovanni Palestrina is one of the most celebrated names from this period of music.

#Composers of medieval period full#

Like many of Josquin’s works, the textures are richly polyphonic with a full exploitation of vocal combinations during the Mass.Īs the Renaissance moves in the Late Renaissance more familiar composers and famous compositions emerge. It pays homage to the earlier works of Dufay but is wholly unique in its use of luxurious arching melodies and subtle application of intricate motivic devices that provide a characteristic otherworldly sensation to his works. His structural approach is intricate and very carefully measured out.

This work follows the established formal pattern of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus/Benedictus, Agnus Dei), but it is what Josquin does with it that is remarkable. Josquin’s works fall broadly into three areas the Masses, the Motets and the Chansons (including instrumental works).Ī wonderful place to begin is Josquin’s “Missa L’Homme armé super voces musicales”. This is likely to have had a profound influence on his compositions. Josquin was Italian by birth and began life as a singer at the Cathedral Santa Maria Maggiore in Milan. He was a remarkable craftsman who was incredibly productive bringing the Renaissance style into an altogether more sensitive and communicative manner. The composer who is often heralded as the master of the High Renaissance is Josquin des Prez. Famous Renaissance Music Pieces and Composers