For me, Thomas Tallis is the unparalleled genius of Renaissance music. Tallis was my gateway early music drug, leading me to a rabbit hole of music that I will never bottom out. Nearly within living memory of Tallis’ older contemporaries, music had existed in two parts, male and boy, singing octaves, fourths and fifths only. … Continue reading Renaissance Music VI: Thomas Tallis (1505-1575)
Category: Renaissance Period
Renaissance Music V: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)
All visits to Rome trace (at least in part) the career of Giovanni Palestrina, who at times was employed at Santa Maria Maggiore, the Vatican, and San Giovanni in Laterano. Palestrina is also arguably the most important composer in history, even if the most celebrated story about him turns out not to be true. No … Continue reading Renaissance Music V: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)
Renaissance Music IV: Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Why should the devil have all the good tunes?” In my last entry, I made a casual reference to the great reformer Martin Luther. Luther finds his way into much of my thinking, having studied his religious texts across two years and four classes at Duke. Yet more than the percussive sounds for which he … Continue reading Renaissance Music IV: Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Renaissance Music III: Josquin des Prez (1450-1520)
Josquin des Prez was the best composer of his time, with a gift for melody that surpassed his peers. Beginning with Josquin, musical evolution begins in earnest. Why? Look no further than Guttenberg—and you thought that was important only for bibles (spoiler alert). His printing press, quickly employed to print sheet music, disseminated musical ideas … Continue reading Renaissance Music III: Josquin des Prez (1450-1520)
Renaissance Music II: The Origin of Popular Music
As Simon and Garfunkel and other 20th century pop bands have taken a bow in this blog, a few words about popular music are warranted—popular music would play an increasing role in the development of music, surpassing the importance of what I call “formal music” for much of the 20th century. Finding its origin in … Continue reading Renaissance Music II: The Origin of Popular Music
A Gertus History of Music 