The Renaissance Mass: The Renaissance Mass: Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

The musical setting of the Roman Catholic The musical setting of the Roman Catholic Mass was the most important compositional Mass was the most important compositional genre of the Renaissancegenre of the Renaissance

The Mass is the principal daily service of the Catholic The Mass is the principal daily service of the Catholic Church.Church.

The Mass has two main divisions.The Mass has two main divisions.1. The Ordinary consists of those portions of the Mass said 1. The Ordinary consists of those portions of the Mass said

every day.every day.

2. The Proper consists of those portions of the Mass particular 2. The Proper consists of those portions of the Mass particular to specific days/celebrations in the liturgical calendar.to specific days/celebrations in the liturgical calendar.

The Renaissance Mass: The Renaissance Mass: Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

The High Mass is divided into two broad parts, The High Mass is divided into two broad parts, the first consisting of the Introductory and the first consisting of the Introductory and Liturgy of the Word, and the second Liturgy of the Word, and the second consisting of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.consisting of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

• Initially, all six parts of the Ordinary of the High Initially, all six parts of the Ordinary of the High Mass-the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Mass-the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Ite Missa Est--were set to music. The Ite Missa and Ite Missa Est--were set to music. The Ite Missa Est was subsequently removed from this list. Est was subsequently removed from this list.

• A single melody, usually a plainchant, will typically A single melody, usually a plainchant, will typically underlie all five parts of a Renaissance Mass.underlie all five parts of a Renaissance Mass.

The Renaissance Mass: The Renaissance Mass: Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

• In a Cantus Firmus Mass, the underlying In a Cantus Firmus Mass, the underlying plainchant is heard in its original, medieval plainchant is heard in its original, medieval form and usually in the tenor voice. This is form and usually in the tenor voice. This is the original and most archaic form of the original and most archaic form of Renaissance Mass.Renaissance Mass.

• In a Paraphrase Mass, the underlying In a Paraphrase Mass, the underlying plainchant melody has been modernized plainchant melody has been modernized according to the melodic tastes of the according to the melodic tastes of the Renaissance. Josquin was the greatest Renaissance. Josquin was the greatest composer of these Masses.composer of these Masses.

The Renaissance Mass:The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

In an Imitation Mass, a melody other than In an Imitation Mass, a melody other than a plainchant is used to underlie the a plainchant is used to underlie the Mass.Mass.

1.1. These Masses became common during the early These Masses became common during the early sixteenth century.sixteenth century.

2.2. Due to its accessibility and recognizability, this Due to its accessibility and recognizability, this compositional form was potentially subversive compositional form was potentially subversive of Church authority.of Church authority.

The Renaissance Mass:The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

The Protestant Reformation had a The Protestant Reformation had a profound influence on the social, profound influence on the social, political, and artistic history of political, and artistic history of Europe.Europe.

• In 1517 the Catholic priest Martin Luther launched a In 1517 the Catholic priest Martin Luther launched a protest against aspects of the Catholic Church. The protest against aspects of the Catholic Church. The protest rapidly became a full-blown anti-Roman protest rapidly became a full-blown anti-Roman revolution.revolution.

• The Catholic hierarchy responded with the Counter-The Catholic hierarchy responded with the Counter-Reformation, the key event of which was the Council Reformation, the key event of which was the Council of Trent (1545-63).of Trent (1545-63).

The Renaissance Mass:The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

1. The Council ostensibly purged the 1. The Council ostensibly purged the Catholic Church of "laxities, Catholic Church of "laxities, secularisation, and abuses.“secularisation, and abuses.“

2. The Council objected strongly to certain 2. The Council objected strongly to certain aspects of Renaissance church music. aspects of Renaissance church music.

The Renaissance Mass:The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

Giovanni de Palestrina (c. 1525-94) Giovanni de Palestrina (c. 1525-94) was the "saviour" of Roman was the "saviour" of Roman Catholic church music.Catholic church music.

• According to legend, Palestrina composed his six-According to legend, Palestrina composed his six-part Pope Marcellus Mass to demonstrate that part Pope Marcellus Mass to demonstrate that polyphony could be made compatible with the polyphony could be made compatible with the musical doctrines of the Counter-Reformation.musical doctrines of the Counter-Reformation.

• He found artistic/creative ground between He found artistic/creative ground between compositional integrity and interest and the compositional integrity and interest and the dictates of the Council of Trent.dictates of the Council of Trent.

The Renaissance Mass:The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and PalestrinaJosquin and Palestrina

Palestrina, Pope Marcellus Mass, Agnus Palestrina, Pope Marcellus Mass, Agnus Dei I (1555)Dei I (1555)

1. Vocal lines are compact and almost entirely 1. Vocal lines are compact and almost entirely conjunct. conjunct.

2.Gentle diatonic lines and discreet chromaticism 2.Gentle diatonic lines and discreet chromaticism give the music serenity and transparency.give the music serenity and transparency.

3. Gentle regularity of rhythm helps to drive careful 3. Gentle regularity of rhythm helps to drive careful polyphony.polyphony.