The Renaissance Period: Masses, Motets, and Madrigals

Birth of the
1350 Italy Renaissance

3rd Interval of a third becomes accepted as a consonance

Born; The style of his later works shows Power clearly moving towards the consonant, less rhythmically
complex sound of the 'contenance angloise' ('English countenance'), typified by the music of John
1370-1385 Kent, England Leonel Power Dunstable and composers such as Bedyngham, Plummer and

Born. Known for the English Countenance style - full triadic harmony with thirds. He was the man
whose 'contenance anglaise' influenced music for a century. He lived in France and Italy & manuscripts
1390 England John Dunstable of his music exist there today.

Cambrai, Burgundian School, franco flemish - most famous of his time. Dufay's large musical output contains
Burgandy Guillame Dufay masterpieces in every genre from cyclic masses to isorhytmic motets, a piece where a specific rhythmic
1397 (France) born and pitch patterns are repeated throughout the piece

1430 Germany Guttenberg Invents the printing press

1430 St. Joan of Arc Burned at the stake

12/24/1453England John Dusstable dies

Canterbury,
1455 England Leonel Power dies

Born ; most popular musician of his time. Many works, including masses and chansons, survive. His
Josquin des popularity, no doubt, was a result of combining many contemporary styles of music, his originality, and
1450-1455 Belgium/ France Prez his ability to unveil the meaning and emotions of a
 born - all vocal music - emphasized lower male voices. As well as low voicing, various rhythmic
1460 Pier de la Rue patterns and long, flowing melodies are main characteristics of La Rue's music.

1465 Germany First printed music

1474 Dufay dies

War of the
1485 England/France Roses ends

1492 America Columbus "discovers" America

1492 Spain Pushes moors out of Spain & expells the Jews

Leonardo D'a
1498 Italy Vinci paints The Last Supper

1502 Josquin de Prez Publishes First Book of Masses

Leonardo da
1503 Italy Vinci paints the Mona Lisa

1509 Europe/ Africa Slave trade Between Europe and "the new world"

born; Served 4 monarchs, composed mostly choir music - Latin motets and English Anthems. Queen
Elisabeth granted him and his pupil, William Boyd, exclusive rights to use England's printing press to
1510 England Thomas Tallis publish music; a first of its time.

1511 Rome Micelangelo Completes Cistine Chapel ceiling

 Josquin des
1514 Prez composes Missa Pange Lingua

1515 Cpernicus Heliocentric theory

1517 Germany Martin Luther leads the Protestant reformation

1518 Pierre de la Rue dies

1519 Magellan launches first round-the-word journey

Josquin des
1521 Prez dies

Giovanni born; The Roman School - affected the development in the music of the Catholic church. Because its
Pierluigi da voicing is extremely well balanced and beautifully harmonized, Palestrina's polyphonic music is smooth,
1526 Italy Palestrina pure, and transparent in sound.

Orlando de born; His beautiful motets combined the rich northern style of polyphony, the superb French style text-
1530 Lassus setting, and the expressive Italian melody.

1530 Secular tunes introduced into the mass

Giovanni
1533 Italy Gabrieli born: The Venetian School; used antiphone (left and right choirs)

born; wrote My Ladye Nevells Book" and the "Parthenia.", Mastered all composition types of his era,
1543 England William Byrd was first keyboard "genius"

Giovanni
Pierluigi da
1551 Palestrina named music director at St. Peter's
1553 First modern violin

1561 Italy Peri Born. Italian composer, pupil of Malvezzi, and singer.

Giovanni
Pierluigi da
1562 Palestrina composes Missa Papae Marcelli

born; bridged renaissance and baroque; perfected the madrigal; wrote the first Opera= Orfeo. Wrote 9
books of madrigals: Book 8, Ottavo Libro, includes what many consider to be the perfected form of the
Claudio madrigal, Madrigali dei guerrieri ed amorosi. bridged renaissance and baroque; perfected the madrigal;
1567 Cremona Monteverdi wrote the first Opera= Orfeo. Wrote 9 books of madrigals:

1579 Florence Peri Organist at Badia, Florence, 1579-1606.

1585 England Thomas Tallis dies

Born. German composer and organist, one of the greatest of Bach's predecessors. Studied law.
1585 Kostritz Heinrich Schutz

1588 Nicholas Yonge publishes Musica Transalpina and introduces the madrigal to England

Entered service of Medici court 1588 and Mantuan court from early 1600s. Probably one of group of
poets and musicians associated in Florence with Jacopo Corsi and Count Bardi in last quarter of the
16th century, and whose interest in reviving elements of German drama led to composition in monodic
style of what is regarded as the first opera or musical drama, Dafne (1594-1598), to which Peri
1588 - 1598Italy Peri contributed the recitatives and some other items in collaboration with Corsi.

William
1595 England Shakespeare writes Richard II and Romeo and Juliet
 Giovanni
Pierluigi da
1594 Palestrina dies

1600 Mass evolves into an unaccomanied contrapuntal style

This was followed by Euridice (1600), parts of which were composed by Peri's rival Caccini. Peri later
1600 Italy Peri wrote other operas, some in collaboration, ballets, madrigals, etc., only a few of which survive.

Giovanni
1612 Italy Gabrieli dies

1623 England William Byrd dies

Baroque Music

Name, meaning "irregularly shaped pear" applied later. Showed development of tonality, accent on
1600 Europe Baroque Period solo voices for voice and instruments, and a much greater expression of emotion in the solo voices.

Probably one of group of poets and musicians associated in Florence with Jacopo Corsi and Count
Bardi in last quarter of the 16th century, and whose interest in reviving elements of German drama led
to composition in monodic style of what is regarded as the first opera or musical drama, Dafne (1594-
1598), to which Peri contributed the recitatives and some other items in collaboration with Corsi. This
was followed by Euridice (1600), parts of which were composed by Peri's rival Caccini. Peri later wrote
other operas, some in collaboration, ballets, madrigals, etc., only a few of which survive. Organist at
1600 Italy/Florence Peri Badia, Florence, 1579-1606.

1609-1612 Heinrich Schutz Patron, impressed by his musical ability, sent him in 1609 to study in Venice with G. Gabrieli until 1612.

Kassel, Court organist, Kassel, 1613.

1613 Germany Heinrich Schutz

Beginning of functional tonality.

 In his sixth, seventh, and eighth books of madrigals (1614-38) he moved away from the Renaissance
ideal of equal-voiced polyphony toward the newer styles emphasizing melody, bass line, and harmonic
Claudio support as well as personal, or dramatic, declamation.
1614 -38 Venice Monteverdi

Kepellmeister, Dresden electoral court, 1617-1657. Spent three periods as court conductor in
Copenhagen 1633-1645. Dresden with court orchestra from 1645. Composed first German opera,
Dresden, Dafne, 1627 (music destroyed by fire 1760). Revisited Italy 1628-1629. His special importance lies in
1617-1657 Germany Heinrich Schutz his grafting of Italian choral and vocal style on to German polyphonic tradition.

1633 Florence Peri Dies.

1633-1645 Copenhagen Heinrich Schutz Spent three periods as court conductor in Copenhagen 1633-1645.

In 1637 the first public opera house was opened, and Monteverdi, stimulated by the enthusiastic
response to opera, wrote a new series of operas, of which two remain, Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The
1637 - Claudio
Return of Ulysses to His Homeland, 1641) and L'incoron
1642 Venice Monteverdi

Claudio Monteverdi died in Venice on November 29, 1643.

1643 Venice Monteverdi

In Dresden with court orchestra from 1645. Wrote magnificent settings of Passions, Christmas oratorio,
1645 1645 Heinrich Schutz 7 Words from Christ on the Cross, etc. Works published in 16 volumes 1885-1894.

Nuremburg Johann Born. German organist and composer.

1653 Pachelbell

Born in Westminster (now London), Purcell was the son of a court musician and became a chorister in
the Chapel Royal at the age of ten; when his voice broke, he was apprenticed to the keeper of the royal
Westminster,
instruments and tuned the organ in Westminster Abbe
1659 England Henry Purcell

Italian-born composer (French nationality from 1681). Self-taught violinist. At 14 went to France and
Jean-Baptiste worked as page to cousin of Louis XIV until prowess as dancer and mime was noted.
1632 Florence, Italy Lully

Arcangelo
1653 near Milan Corelli Born. Italian violinist and composer. Studied in Faenza, Lugo
 Jean-Baptiste Entered service of Louis XIV 1653, composed instrumental music for the court ballets.
1653 Paris, France Lully

Some time before 1656 he became leader of 'les petits violons du Roi', a band of 21 players (an
offshoot of the '24 violons du roi'), 'Instrumental composer to the King' 1653-61, 'Superintendent of
1655 - Jean-Baptiste Music and chamber music composer' 1661-2; 'music master t
1662 Paris Lully

Born. Italian composer, who helped to establish the Neapolitan style of opera that dominated 18th-
Palermo, Sicily, Alessandro century music. Born in Palermo, Sicily, he was probably trained in Rome under the Italian oratorio
1659 Italy Scarlatti composer Giacomo Carissimi.

1666 - Arcangelo Studies in Bologna.

1675 Bologna Corelli

1672 Dresden Heinrich Schutz Dies.

1673 - Johann Deputy organist, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, 1673-1676.

1676 Vienna, Austria Pachelbel

Having assimilated both Italian and French styles and tastes, from 1673 he turned to opera composition
1673 - Jean-Baptiste and obtained from the King exclusive rights to arrange operatic performances in Paris. For the next 14
1687 Paris Lully years, working with the poet Quinault, he not onl

1675 - Arcangelo By 1675 was in Rome, where he became one of leading violinists
1679 Rome Corelli

Purcell was appointed composer for the court violins in 1677 upon the death of Matthew Locke.
1677 England Henry Purcell

Johann Court organist Eisenach 1677.

1677 Eisenach Pachelbell

born. Italian composer and violinist. Son of violinist in orchestra of St. Mark's, Venice, under Legrenzi.
1678 Venice, Italy Antonio Vivaldi Taught by father.
1678- Johann Organist, Protestant Predigerkirche, Erfurt, 1678-1690.
1690 Erfurt Pachelbell

Alessandro His earliest known opera, L'errore innocente, was produced in Rome in 1679.
1679 Rome Scarlatti

He succeeded John Blow as abbey organist. later he was harpsichord player to James II. Purcell also
taught music to the aristocracy, wrote ceremonial odes and anthems for royal events, and composed
for the stage, church, and home.
1680 England Henry Purcell

Magdeburg,Ger
many Georg Philipp Born. German composer and organist. Self-taught by study of scores (especially those of Lully and
1681 Telemann Campra).

He became organist at the Chapel Royal in 1682 and was appointed composer in ordinary to the King's
Musick (1683), a major post, under Charles II. Purcell is most famous for his theatrical music. His only
1682/1683 England Henry Purcell true opera is Dido and Aeneas, a masterpiece base

Alessandro In 1684 a more important work, Pompeo, was performed in Naples, and Scarlatti was appointed
1684 Naples Scarlatti musical director at the Neapolitan court.

Eisenbach, Johann
1685 Germany Sebastian Bach born

Georg Friedrich Born. Son of surgeon/barber who opposed his musical aspirations but permitted lessons. Handel
1685 Halle, Germany Handel studied law and turned to music as a career after his father's death.

1687 - Arcangelo From 1687 was under patronage of Cardinal Pamphili

1690 Rome Corelli

1690 - Stuttgart, Johann Court organist, Stuttgart, 1690-1692. His compositions influenced Bach. His church music, for long
1692 Germany Pachelbel disregarded, has been highly revalued

1690 under that of Cardinal Ottoboni. Lived in cardinal's palace and died a rich man with a fine art
collection. His importance as a composer lies in his sonatas da camera and concerti grossi from which
1690 - Arcangelo the solo sonata and the orchestra concertos of Händel and Bach evolved. His works are grouped under
1713 Rome Corelli six opus numbers.
 is orphaned and goes to live with his elder brother Joahnn Christoph, where he receives lessons in
Ohrdruff, clavier and organ. Bach was a virtuoso organ solist. His works were considered old fashioned during
1695 Germany J.S. Bach his lifetime, and Telemann was much more famous and well thought of.

He died in London on November 21, 1695, and was buried under the organ in Westminster Abbey.
1695 England Henry Purcell

1695 - Nuremberg, Johann Organist, St. Sebald, Nuremburg, 1695-1706.

1706 Germany Pachelbell

Luneberg,
1700 Germany J.S. Bach becomes chorister at St. Michael's at Luneberg. Studied composition with Organist Georg Bohm

Alessandro In 1702-3 he lived in Florence under the patronage of Ferdinand de Medici.

1702-1703 Florence Scarlatti

Entered church, becoming priest, after 2 years never said Mass because of congenital chest complaint.
1703 Italy A. Vivaldi Taught violin at orphanage (Ospedale della Pietà) from 1703 and gave recitals.

1703 Arnstadt J.S. Bach Organist

1703 Hamburg G.F. Handel Goes to Hamburg to be second violinist at the Opera under the direction of composer Reinhard Keiser.

Scarlatti was assistant choirmaster at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome from 1703 to 1713.
1703 - Alessandro
1713 Rome Scarlatti

Arcangelo
1713 Rome Corelli Dies.

Organist, Neuekirche, Leipzig, 1704, having already written several operas.

1704 Leipzig G.P. Telemann
1705 Hamburg G.F. Handel Writes his first Opera, Amira, which is performed there.

In 1706 Händel went to Italy in a prince's retinue, meeting Corelli, the Scarlattis, and other leading
1706 Italy G.F. Handel figures, and rapidly attaining mastery of Italian style in opera, chamber music, and vocal music.

1707 Millhausen J.S. Bach Organist - marries cousin Maria Barbara Bach

1707 Florence G.F. Handel His opera Rodrigo was performed

1708 - Kapellmeister at Eisenach 1708-1712, moving then to Frankfurt.

1712 Eisenach G.P. Telemann

1708 - Organist. Composes many of his great religious cantatas and organ works during this period. Leaves
1717 Saxe-Weimar J.S. Bach in disappointment at not being appointed Kappelmeister.

1709 Venice G.F. Handel His opera Agrippina was performed.

1709 Italy A. Vivaldi Published trio sonatas, Opus 1, 1705 and violin sonatas, Opus 2

Hanover,
Germany/ He was appointed court conductor in Hanover and was also invited to write and opera (Rinaldo) for
London, London, where he quickly realized the possibilities for his own success and, after settling his affairs in
1710 England G.F. Handel Hanover, settled there permenately.

London, In 1712 he received a pension of £200 a year for life from Queen Anne.
1712 England G. F. Handel

1713 Vincenza A. Vivaldi First opera, Ottone in villa, produced.

He reestablished himself in Naples in 1713, becoming musical director of the Austrian viceroy, and
director of the Conservatorio di Sant' Onofrio. Scarlatti was one of the first opera composers to strongly
differentiate the singing styles of aria and recitative. His opera overtures established the Neapolitan
overture type, which has three movements, in fast, slow, and fast tempos. His cantatas, numbering
more than 600, introduced many advanced harmonic procedures to the musical vocabulary of the time.
1713-1719 Naples A. Scarlatti

1714 Venice A. Vivaldi First Venetian opera, Orlando finto pazzo, performed.
 Named Kappelmeister. Composes secular instrumental works per the direction of his sponsor.
1717 Anhalt-Cohten J.S. Bach Composes the Brandenbergs, Composes klavier studies, probably for his children.

His pension for life being increased to £600 by King George I, his former ruler in Hanover, for whom in
London, 1717 he composed the famous Water Music suite. From 1717 to 1720 Händel was resident composer
1717-1720 England G. F. Handel to the Earl of Carnarvon (Duke of Chandos from April 171

From 1719 to 1723 he worked in Rome.

1719-1723 Rome A. Scarlatti

Händel, in association with Giovanni Bononcini and Ariosti, was a music director of the so-called Royal
1719 - Academy of Music (not a college but a business venture to produce Italian opera). Händel travelled
1727 London/ Europe G.F. Handel abroad to engage singers and in the 8 years until th

Spent 3 years in service of Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt in Mantua, 1719 - 1721. Wrote operas for
Mantua, Vicenza, Milan, and Rome 1721 - 1725. Among contemporaries who appreciated Vivaldi was
1719-1725 Italy A. Vivaldi J. S. Bach, who transcribed 10 Vivaldi concertos as harpsic

1720 Anhalt-Cohten J.S. Bach His first wife dies.

1721 Anhalt-Cohten J.S. Bach Marries Anna Maria Wilcken, aged 20, daughter of court trumpeteer, in December.

In 1721, went to Hamburg as Kantor of the Johanneum and musical director of the 5 main churces.
When in 1722 an attempt was made to prevent his taking part in operatic performances, he retaliated
1721-1722 Hamburg G. P. Telemann by applying for the vacant post of Kantor at the Thomaskirc

applies for position of Kappelmeister at St Thomas, is not chosen but chosen party, Georg Telemann,
withdraws. Bach performs St. Matthew's Passion at St. Thomas. Composes Mass in B Minor,
1722/23 Leipzig J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations, Christmas Cantata, etc.

1723 Naples A. Scarlatti He then returned to Naples and lived there until his death.

For the coronation of George II, Händel wrote 4 anthems, including Zadok the Priest, wihich has been
sung at every British coronation since then. The success of Gay's The Begger Opera and imitative
1727 London G. F. Handel works was the principle cause of the falling-away of sup
1729 - Back in London in partnership with Heidegger at the King's Theatre, Händel wrote Lotario (1729),
1733 London G.F. Handel Partenope (1730), and Orlando (1733).

In 1734 he moved to the new Covent Garden Royal Opera House, for which he wrote two of his
1734 - greatest operas, Ariodante (produced January 1735) and Alcina (produced April 1735), but he
1740 London G.F. Handel recognized that the popularity of Italian opera was declining and began,

In 1737 Händel's health cracked under the strain of his operatic labours and he had a stroke. Following
1737 - his recovery, he wrote a series of oratorios, including Messiah, produced Dublin, 1742. By this work his
1740 London G.F.Handel name is known throughout the world, yet it is

Production of a new Vivaldi opera at Ferrara was forbidden by papal authorities on ground that Vivaldi
was a priest who did not say Mass and had a relationship with a woman singer. Despite intermittent
1737-1740 Venice A. Vivaldi disputes over the years, Vivaldi was still maestro a

He decided to leave Venice for Vienna, presumably in search of some court appointment, but died
1741 Vienna A. Vivaldi there, being buried in a pauper's grave.

Leipzig, Johann
1750 Germany Sebastian Bach After becoming blind in the last year of his life, Bach dies.

For the last seven years of his life Händel was blind, but he continued to conduct oratorio performances
1752 - London, and to revise his scores with the assistance of his devoted friend John Christopher Smith. His works
1759 England G. F. Handel were published by the German Händel Gesellschaft