Renaissance

  • Period: May 3, 1400 to

    Renaissance

  • Johann Gutenberg invents the printing press
    May 3, 1439

    Johann Gutenberg invents the printing press

    Revolutionized the manufacturing of books, and also the studies of the arts and sciences.
  • 1450 - 1550
    May 3, 1450

    1450 - 1550

    During this period composers experimented with cantus firmus. Cantus firmus was commonly used in the Middle Ages which was strongly based on the Gregorian Chant. Known composers during this period were Johannes Ockeghem, Jacob Obrecht and Josquin Desprez.
  • 1400 - 1474
    May 3, 1474

    1400 - 1474

    Guillaume Dufay, known as the transitional figure to the Renaissance.
  • May 3, 1478

    The Spainish Inquistion begins

    One of the most deadly inquistions in history, it was designed to root out all non Catholics i.e Jews and Muslims.
  • 1500 - 1550
    May 3, 1500

    1500 - 1550

    The French Chanson, a polyphonic French song that was originally for 2 to 4 voices.
  • 1500 - 1620
    May 3, 1510

    1500 - 1620

    Italian Madrigal, polyphonic secular music that were performed in groups of 4 to 6 singers who sang mostly love songs. There were three periods of the Italian Madrigal
  • May 3, 1512

    Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel

    Forced into painting by the Pope, Michelangelo painted 9 scenes from the old testament onto the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel.
  • Thomas More Utopia
    May 3, 1514

    Thomas More Utopia

    Thomas More used the word Utopia to describe an ideal imaginary Island nation. He opposed England's seperation from the Catholic church and refused to accept the King as the head of the church, he was later tried for treason and beheaded.
  • 1517
    May 3, 1517

    1517

    Protestant Reformation sparked by Martin Luther. Significant changes occurred to church music such as the chorale, hymns that were meant to be sung by a congregation. Its earliest form was monophonic and then evolved to four part harmony. It was also the period when psalms of the Bible were translated into French and then set to music.
  • 1540
    May 3, 1540

    1540

    Known composers were Adrian Willaert and Jacob Arcadelt.
  • 1550
    May 3, 1550

    1550

    Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Council of Trent met from 1545 to 1563 to discuss complaints against the church including its music.
  • 1570
    May 3, 1570

    1570

    Known composers were again Adrian Willaert and Orlando Lassus.
  • Saint Bartholomew 's Massacre
    May 3, 1572

    Saint Bartholomew 's Massacre

    Mobs of French Catholics killed Protestants during the French Religious Wars. It is presumed that the Massacre started because of King Charles the IX's sister Margret married the Protestant King Henry the IV (the future king of France).
  • 1594

    1594

    Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, known as the High Renaissance composer of Counter-Reformation sacred music. During this period Renaissance polyphony reached its height.
  • 1610

    1610

    Known composers were Luca Marenzio, Carlo Gesualdo and Claudio Monteverdi. Monteverdi is also known as the transitional figure to the Baroque music era.