1 | Music In The Renaissance Era

Exploration, Rebirth and Humanism

Peter Kun Frary

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The Renaissance, 1450-1600, began in Italy and spread rapidly across Europe and eventually into New World colonies. It heralds the beginning of the modern period in world history, bringing unprecedented development in science, politics, warfare, technology and fine arts. Important figures of this era include playwright William Shakespeare, 1554-1616, scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519, and explorer Christopher Columbus, 1451-1506.

Perseus and Medusa's Head | Benvenuto Cellini, 1500-71 | Loggia dei Lanzi | Photograph, ©Peter Kun Frary

Perseus and Medusa's Head

Renaissance Culture

The Renaissance is a cultural movement emphasizing a rebirth of classical learning and art, independence of thought and humanist values.

Humanism

The secular tendencies of the Ars Nova were brought to flower with a cultural movement known as Humanism: focusing on life on earth rather than afterlife, self-realization through reason and rejection of supernaturalism. It was also a cultural movement which revived ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and art while moving away from the tradition and dogma of the Roman Catholic Church.

Abduction of the Sabine | Giambologna, 1529-1608 | Classical Greco-Roman art influenced Renaissance sculpture | Loggia dei Lanzi | ©Peter Kun Frary

Abduction of the Sabine

The creation of citizenry able to speak and write with eloquence and clarity and, thus, capable of engaging in the civic and cultural life of their communities, was a major objective of Humanism. This goal was fostered through study of the humanities: philosophy, grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry and music. Five centuries later, the legacy of this curriculum lives on in college liberal arts core requirements.

Holy Roman Empire Map | The Holy Roman Empire at its peak during the Hohenstaufen dynasty (1155–1268) | Wikimedia Commons

Holy Roman Empire Map

Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire continued to decline in power and influence during the Renaissance. The Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, the capital and stronghold of the eastern region of the Holy Roman Empire. Thus, the Empire lost its ties with antiquity and was severed in half. The remaining territory was a mere shadow of its former self: Germany, Austria and parts of the Netherlands.

Luther and Family | G. Spangenberg 1828-91 | Museum der bildenden Künste

Luther and Family | Gustav Spangenberg, 1828-91 | Luther advocated congregational singing and musical instruments in church. | Museum der bildenden Künste

Protestant Reformation

Another great institution, the Roman Catholic Church, was splintered in 1517 by the Protestant Reformation, initiated by German theologian Martin Luther (1483-1546) when he posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church.

Changes in Theology

Martin Luther preached the doctrine of justification by faith, rather than by works, and railed against papal authority and the sale of indulgences. A prolific song writer, Luther penned the iconic hymn, A Mighty Fortress is My God (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott), often referred to as the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation."

Congregational Singing

Luther introduced congregational singing in the vernacular—men and women singing together in church using their native language—and encouraged use of musical instruments in church. His reforms were revolutionary since, at the time, the Catholic Church only allowed a cappella singing in Latin by male cleric musicians.

Although Latin was used in Lutheran services, German was increasingly preferred for singing, preaching and Bible studies. The role Luther granted to instrumental music and mixed choral singing in church greatly enhanced the development of music in Germany and Northern Europe.

Luther's A Mighty Fortress is My God | J. Spangenberg, Gesangbuch, 1529

A Mighty Fortress is Our God | John Cavicchio, arr., plays an organ Chorale Prelude based on Luther's hymn (5:26).

Voyages of Discovery

The faltering of the Roman Catholic Church and Holy Roman Empire, two seemingly infallible institutions, set the stage for a flowering of European art and culture. Voyages of discovery by Christopher Columbus (1492), Ferdinand Magellan (1519) and others resulted in riches and opportunities pouring into Europe's port cities. The multitude of merchants and traders needed to man the new economy created a large and powerful middle class, a social class between nobility and peasantry. This class was also known as the merchant class and bourgeoisie, and was destine to be a consumer of art, music and literature.

The Renaissance was the beginning of the age of globalization. During this era, European powers and, subsequently, their former colonies, began political, economic, and cultural colonization of the world.

Book Publication

Education was no longer a monopoly of the Church. The printing press and an emerging middle class with leisure time created a demand for education. Nobility and the middle class found pride and status in education. Musical abilities were seen as a demonstration of high education and class status.

Printing Press

The invention of the printing press in 1450 by Johannes Gutenburg (1398-1468) revolutionized book production and accelerated the spread of culture. Prior to 1450, books were produced by hand, making book ownership and literacy expense. Although the Bible was the first mass produced book, musical scores soon ensued, bringing music to the burgeoning merchant class.

Moses | Michelangelo, 1475-1564 | Moses depicted with horns due to a poor Bible translation. | Basílica de San Pietro in Vincoli, Roma | ©Peter Kun Frary

Moses

Patronage of Art and Music

The Roman Catholic Church was still an important patron of the arts, but the Protestant Reformation reduced Church resources and influence. Thus, the most significant musical activities gradually shifted to royal courts. A typical royal court employed ten to sixty musicians for entertainment and chapel duties. Professional musicians were considered servants by noble patrons, but enjoyed a higher status in Renaissance society than they did during the Middle Ages. Now musicians were recognized as creative individuals and usually signed their works.

Vocabulary

Renaissance, Humanism, Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, merchant class, middle class, bourgeoisie, Johannes Gutenburg

Preface	Elements	Medieval	Renaissance
Baroque	Classical	Romantic	Modern