Unit 4 Text Questions

Unit Four: Text Questions

1. What were the three forms of English madrigals? Describe each type. The three forms of English madrigals are Madrigal Proper, The Ballet, and The Ayre. In Madrigal Proper, the madrigal was through composed. This type of madrigal used a good amount of word-painting which is when you connect the music to the words in the text. The Ballet is where the dancers tell the story through their movements and the tone of the music. Lastly, The Ayre is a form of madrigal that is performed in an assortment of different ways, and it doesn’t necessarily require accompaniment either.

2. What were chorales? Why were they popular? Chorales were easy to sing melodies. They were popular because the printing press allowed them to print off books called hymnbooks.

3. What is a consort? A consort is an instrumental ensemble that involves six instruments. These six instruments are the recorder, flute, lute, bandore, violin, cittern, and the bass viola de gamba.

4. Who was Guillaume Dufay? What contributions did he make to Renaissance music? Guillaume Dufay was a Franco-Flemish composer and was one of the most influential composers of the fifteenth century. He wrote music in nearly every form that was available back then.

5. Who was William Byrd? What contributions did he make to Renaissance music? William Byrd was an Englishman who was one of the composers who created consort music. Most of his compositions were published in My Ladye Nevells Book and Parenthia.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. How did music in the Renaissance differ from medieval music?
Music in the Renaissance differed from medieval music because medieval music is music that was made in the Middle Ages and that music was generally monotonic or homorhythmic plainchant. Renaissance music was music that was produced later on around 1400. This style of music was more different and a little more advanced.

2. What were the effects of the printing press on music and composers? The effects of the printing press on music and composers was that it made the music much more broad. They could have a larger audience because the printing press allowed the music to be made much quicker and more efficiently, allowing the composers to distribute it out faster.

3. If the Renaissance is thought to represent a rebirth or new birth, how is this reflected in the music of the Renaissance? The music reflected in the music of the Renaissance because before the Renaissance, music wasn’t as complex. It was much more simple. Later on in the Renaissance around 1400-1600, the music was beginning to be experimented on and new things were tried leading to new instruments. 4. What was the role of music during the Renaissance? How was it used in society? The role of music during the Renaissance was very important. People valued it very much and it helped shaped the culture. It was used in society for things like operas, concerts, orchestras, etc.

5. Many of the songs from ancient times through the Renaissance built on the melodies of previous songs. What were the advantages for composers of using a melody that had already been created? The advantages for composers that used a melody that had already been created were that they wouldn’t have to work as hard trying to establish that very same melody. Also, they could choose a song that had previous success and use that melody which would basically assure their own success as well.