Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-94)

Europe During the Time of the Reformation

Music in the Reformation

Martin Luther:

Admired rich polyphonic music of the Franco-Netherlander tradition; still allowed polyphonic music in Latin in services, but also supported the cultivation of a tradition of hymn-singing in the vernacular

John Calvin:

Initially condemned all music in religious services as distracting from the real purpose of worship. Ultimately relented, and supported the singing of simple psalm settings, in the vernacular.

Henry VIII and the Anglican Church:

Position regarded music was in flux: composers continued writing Latin motets and liturgical music alongside Anthems and Services in English. Like in Germany, a native tradition of simple vernacular hymn-singing gradually evolved.

The Council of Trent(1545-1563)

General Outcomes• Acceptance of the Nicene Creed• Fixed Biblical Canon• Clarified Sacraments and concepts of original sin and

transubstantiation• Issued decrees on Episcopal jurisdiction and clerical discipline

Concerning Music• Removal of secular elements from sacred music• Emphasis on textual clarity through a minimization of complex

polyphonic techniques

Pope Marcellus II

Born Marcello Cervini, Tuscany

President of the Council of Trent

Rigorous defender of Papal prerogative

Elected Pope: April 9, 1555

Died: April 30, 1555

Gillis van Coninxloo III (1544-1607), Flemish

A wooded landscape with hunters by a forest lake

Anonymous: Alla Cazza (The Hunt)

To the hunt, to the hunt;

come on, everyone, hurry.

To our hunt

come gladly

with pointers and hounds.

Whoever wants to come must hurry.

For it’s time to go;

sound the horn, master of the hunt,

and hurry, hurry!

Orlando Lassus (1532-1594)

Bon jour: et puis, quelle nouvelles?

Good morning. So now, what news have we?

Shouldn’t I expect some from you?

If you don’t tell me quickly,

I’ll make a bit of news myself.

Well, since you are so stubborn,

good eventide, good night, good evening, good day.

Thomas Morley (1557-1602)

Now is the Month of Maying

The Emergence of Instrumental Music in the 16th Century

• Vocal music played by instruments (including secular music and mass arrangements for keyboard)

• Settings of pre-existing melodies• Variation sets• Pieces in style of imitative polyphony• Idiomatic/virtuosic pieces• Dance music• Songs composed specifically for

voice with instrumental accompaniment

The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book