Renaissance (1400-1600)

The fifteenth century witnessed vastly increased freedoms, most particularly in terms of what is actually perceived as ‘harmony’ and ‘polyphony’ (the simultaneous movement of two or three interrelated parts). Composers (although they were barely perceived as such) were still almost entirely devoted to choral writing, and the few instrumental compositions which have survived often create the impression (in many cases entirely accurately) of being vocal works in disguise, but minus the words.

There is obvious new delight in textural variety and contrast, so that, for example, a particular section of text might be enhanced by a vocal part dropping out momentarily, only to return again at a special moment of emphasis. The four most influential composers of the fifteenth century were Dunstable, Ockeghem, Despres and Dufay.

The second half of the 16th century witnessed the beginnings of the tradition which many music lovers readily associate with the normal feel of ‘classical’ music. Gradually, composers moved away from the modal system of harmony which had predominated for over 300 years (and still sounds somewhat archaic to some modern ears), towards the organisation of their work into major and minor scales, thereby imparting the strong sensation of each piece having a definite tonal centre or ‘key’.

This was also something of a golden period for choral composition as a seemingly endless flow of a capella (unaccompanied) masses, motets, anthems, psalms and madrigals flowed from the pens of the masters of the age. In addition, instrumental music came into its own for the first time, especially keyboard music in the form of fantasias, variations, and dance movements (galliards, pavanes etc.). Composers of particular note include Dowland, Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, Frescobaldi, Palestrina, Victoria, Lassus, Alonso Lobo, Duarte Lobo, Cardoso and Gesualdo.

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Album Title Catalogue No.
A LA DECOUVERTE DU CLASSIQUE 8.550037-38
A TO Z OF CLASSICAL MUSIC (The) (2nd Expanded Edition, 2000) 8.555319-20
A TO Z OF CLASSICAL MUSIC (The) (3rd Expanded Edition, 2009) 8.558212-13
A TO Z OF OPERA 8.555037-38
A TO Z OF OPERA (The) (2nd expanded edition) 8.558216-17
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SONGS (Bavarian Radio Chorus) OC535
AFFRESCO MUSICALE DEL RINASCIMENTO A BOLOGNA TC450002
AGNUS DEI - Classical Music for Reflection and Meditation 8.556701
AGRICOLA, A.: Fortuna desperata - Secular Music of the 15th Century(Ensemble Unicorn) 8.553840
AICHINGER, G.: Virginalia, 1607 (Concentus Vocum, Gabbrielli) TC560101
AIR COMBAT COMMAND HERITAGE OF AMERICA BAND: Rockin' In Rhythm 75442261672
A-la-mi-re Manuscripts (The): Flemish Polyphonic Treasures (Capilla Flamenca, Denecker) 8.554744
ALBERGATI, P.: Corona de pregi di Maria / VICTORIA, T.L. de: Motets and Antiphons (Ensemble La Flora) TC660103
ALEOTTI, V.: Sacrae cantiones (Le Monache di San Vito) (Cappella Artemisia, Smith) TC570101
All the Queen's Men - Music for Elizabeth I (Sarum Consort, Mackay) 8.572582
ALLELUJA NATIVITAS - Canti di Natale (Christmas Songs) TC900002
AMARCORD: Book of Madrigals (The) (NTSC) ACC-20304
AMBROSINI, C.: Plurimo / Tocar / Morte di Caravaggio (Arciuli, Libetta, Orvietto, Carlini, RAI Symphony, Valade, Storgårds, Venzago, Angius) STR37086
AMMERBACH: Harpsichord Works from the Tabulaturbuch (1571) 8.570335
ANCHIETA, J. de: Missa Sine Nomine (Capilla Peñaflorida) 8.555772
ANDERSON, L.: Christmas Festival (A) / Carol Arrangements (Leroy Anderson and His Orchestra) (1952, 1955) 9.80765
ANDREWS SISTERS: Hit the Road (1938-1944) 8.120550
ANGEL VOICES - The Boys' Choirs Christmas Celebration C7069
ANGLAR (Angels) 8.503096
ANIMOSO MIO DESIRE - 16th-Century Italian Keyboard Favourites (Wilson) 8.572983