	Ratton School Music Department
		Achieving Together

Music History Timeline - Renaissance 1450-1600

History	1485	1348	1530	1536-40	1558	1590	1598
History	Columbus lands in South America	Henry Tudor Crowned	Ivan the Terrible born	Dissolution of the Monasteries	Accession of Elizabeth I & the defeat of the Spanish Armada	First known London performance of Shakespeare plays	Poor Relief Act
Composers
		Thomas Tallis 1505-1585		Giovanni Palestrina 1525-1594		William Byrd 1543-1623

Renaissance means 'rebirth' and the chief characteristic of this period, in the history of Western Europe, was a sharpening of interest in learning and culture. It was also an age of exploration and discovery. During this period the formal use of harmony developed and some new musical instruments were invented.
Music Style	Instruments
Vocal music - richer fuller texture in four or more parts - soprano, alto, tenor, bass Folk music developed into madrigals (fast contrapuntal music with lots of fa, la, la's) Blending of instruments rather than contrasting Harmony developed - concern about flow and progression of chords Instruments grouped in 'consorts' New instruments invented and others developed (trumpet and sackbutt) Range and variety of secular (non-religious) music developed Church music mainly contrapuntal and intended for a capella performance.	Lute - a stringed instrument similar to the modern guitar. Viols - held upright in front of the player viols had sloping shoulders and flat backs. Six strings with a fretted fingerboard Trumpet - with a folded tube, no valves at present so the limited notes available could only be made by varying lip pressure Crumhorn - double reeded instrument with a wooden cap giving a rather soft but very reedy tone Sackbut - name given by the English to the early kind of trombone; the bell was less flared, giving a rounder, more mellow tone.