History of Music, Mr. Robert L. Johnston s2

History of Music, Mr. Robert L. Johnston

The 16th Century (Day 1)

What were some of the important facets of the 16th century, and who were Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli?

Instructional Objectives:

At the conclusion of this unit, students will:

I. Have received a basic background to life in the 16th century. II. Have received a background in the musical styles and growth seen in the 16th century. III. Have met and heard a strong representation of the Gabrieli’s music

Motivation:

Play Giovanni Gabrieli’s Canzon Per Sonare #1, “La Spiritata” (3:07)

Development/Procedures:

I. General Background (Miller) a. The 16th century is the culmination of the Renaissance, and specifically was the height of vocal polyphony b. Humanism was still the pervading philosophy, as it was in the 15th century c. Religious history was dominated by the Protestant Reformation, and subsequent Counter-Teformation i. We just passed the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg (October 31st) d. Perhaps the most notable monarch of the time was Henry VIII of England i. Other rulers of the time were HRE’s Charles V and Philip II e. The age of exploration (you will remember Columbus’ first voyage was in 1492, at the door of the 16th century) saw i. Drake ii. Cortes iii. Magellan iv. De Soto v. Balboa f. Important concurrent events i. The Council of Trent ii. The defeat of the Spanish Armada g. Important artists i. Michelangelo 1. We just passed the anniversary of the Sistine Chapel being open to the public (November 1st) in 1512 2. God creates Adam by Michelangelo after restoration. (Wikipedia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:God2-Sistine_Chapel.png

ii. Venetian painters Titian and Tintoretto 1. It took Titian two years (1516–1518) to complete the great fresco of Assunta, whose dynamic three-tier composition and gorgeous color scheme established him as the preeminent painter north of Rome. (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tizian_041.jpg

2. Finding of the body of St Mark (1548). (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jacopo_Tintoretto_001.jpg

3. St Mark's Body Brought to Venice (1548). (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jacopo_Tintoretto_004.jpg

iii. Other artists 1. Cellini 2. Durer 3. Grunwald iv. Important scientists 1. Copernicus 2. Galileo v. Important Writers 1. Erasmus (Holland) 2. Machiavelli (Italy) 3. Cervantes (Spain) 4. Shakespeare (England)

II. Musical Background (Miller) a. Emergence of national schools other than the Franco- Flemish music written by composers such as Ockeghem and Josquin b. “Perfection” of vocal polyphony c. Instrumental music starts to emerge d. Beginnings of Protestant religious music e. Patronage of musicians saw an increased output of secular music f. Increased tendency towards use of major and minor tonalities g. Increased use of triadic structure that led to a sense of harmonic completeness i. You will remember that many of you spoke about how the harmonic structure of chant didn’t seem to give “an end” to the music h. Emergence of numerous new textures such as fugal that saw an increased equality of parts

III. Andrea Gabrieli (ca. 1532-1585) (Wikipedia) a. Born in Venice b. First internationally renowned composer of the Venetian School i. Spread the Venetian style throughout Italy and Germany c. May have been a pupil of Adrian Willaert’s (Maestro di Cappella) at St. Mark’s Basilica d. Was an organist e. Traveled throughout Italy and Germany i. Was friends with Orlando di Lassus f. In 1566, was appointed organist for St. Mark’s i. Extremely important post in the world of music ii. Held that post until his death iii. Wrote sacred and secular music for voices or instruments or both iv. Wrote music unique to St. Mark’s relative to its acoustics and architectural design 1. Cori Spezzati a. Literally means separated choirs b. Different ensembles stationed themselves in different choir lofts c. Took advantage of obvious acoustic result as well as echo v. Composed a great deal of ceremonial music 1. Coronation of Doges 2. Celebrations of military victories 3. Visits from international figures, such as princes from Japan 4. Revivals of Greek tragedies vi. Began teaching later in his life vii. Much of his music was published posthumously by his nephew, Giovanni Gabrieli viii. Play Benedictus Dominus (4:43) 1. I had originally chosen another work. Can you tell my why I changed my mind?

IV. Giovanni Gabrieli (ca. 1554-1612) (Wikipedia) a. Born in Venice b. Was the nephew of Andrea Gabrieli c. Like his uncle, was an organist d. Represents the culmination of the Venetian school e. Studied with his uncle and Lasso (Orlando di Lassus) f. Possibly raised by his uncle g. Became both principal organist at St. Mark’s (the post held by his uncle), as well as principal composer h. Spent much of his time editing and publishing his uncle’s music i. Was also principal organist at the confraternity of La Scuola di san Rocco i. You will remember from our Venice lesson, that this was an intellectual club ii. Barbara Strozzi’s father was an important member, and she, as a courtesan, traveled freely among its membership j. Died from complications from kidney stones k. Wrote predominantly sacred vocal and instrumental music l. One of the first composers to indicate specific instruments and singers m. Like his uncle, and many other St. Mark’s composers, used the polychoral style i. Wrote music to be specifically performed in St. Mark’s n. Play Canzon In Double Echo (3:37)

Materials of Instruction:

Smart Board

Various Recordings

Summary:

You now have a basic introduction to the Venetian School. We are now focusing on composers rather than forms. I would encourage at this point, referencing Miller’s History of Music to fill in many of the gaps that time does not allow us to cover.

Assignment:

Choose between Adrian Willaert, Orlando di Lassus or Heinrich Schutz, and write a short summary paragraph on them. Remember, do not simply print out material from a web page. That’s plagiarism

You should all be preparing for your upcoming exam.

Bibliography:

History of Music, Hugh H. Miller, Barnes & Noble Books, New York. 1972

The Canadian Brass (featuring Principal Brass of the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra), Giovanni Gabrieli –Claudio Monteverdi, Antiphonal Music, (c) & (p) 1989, CBS Records Masterworks

The Ambrosian Singers, The Glory of Venice, (p) 1989, EMI Eminence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Gabrieli

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Gabrieli

Suggested Reference:

History of Music, Hugh H. Miller, Barnes & Noble Books, New York. 1972

Vidal in Venice, Gore Vidal, Summit Books, New York. 1987

Robert L. Johnston