Right on the heels of Thomas Tallis comes what may be my favorite work of Renaissance music. In the 1630s, Gregorio Allegri produced what for more than a century was considered—widely considered—to be the most beautiful music ever composed. As most of us will recall, chasing after obscure bootlegs even before the CD age, scarceness … Continue reading Renaissance Music VII: Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652)
Tag: Desert Island Discs
Renaissance Music VI: Thomas Tallis (1505-1575)
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)
Renaissance Music I: John Dunstable (1390-1453)
It was the English composer John Dunstable who introduced the third to music, creating the unique color palette that allowed Western music to flourish. In short, a "third" is simply the third note above the root note: If your root note is a C, the third interval is an E. Thirds are referred to in … Continue reading Renaissance Music I: John Dunstable (1390-1453)
A Gertus History of Music 