2.3 Secular Vocal Forms: Madrigal and Chanson
3 min read•august 6, 2024
music saw the rise of secular vocal forms like madrigals and chansons. These genres allowed composers to express emotions and tell stories through music, often using word painting to illustrate the text's meaning.
Italian madrigals and French chansons became popular in the 16th century. Composers like Gesualdo and Monteverdi pushed the boundaries of harmony and expression, paving the way for the era's musical innovations.
Italian Secular Vocal Forms
Madrigal, Frottola, and Villanella
Top images from around the web for Madrigal, Frottola, and Villanella
Early, Middle, and Late Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Instruments Used in Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Early, Middle, and Late Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Madrigal, Frottola, and Villanella
Early, Middle, and Late Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Instruments Used in Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Early, Middle, and Late Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
Renaissance Music | Music Appreciation 1 View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- was a popular Italian secular vocal form in the 16th century
- Polyphonic composition for four or five voices without instrumental accompaniment
- Set to short love poems or pastoral texts
- Emphasized expressive text setting and word painting (musical representation of textual meaning)
- preceded the madrigal as a prominent secular vocal form in the late 15th and early 16th centuries
- Homophonic texture with the melody in the top voice and simple chordal accompaniment
- Strophic form with each stanza of text set to the same music
- emerged in the mid-16th century as a lighter, more rustic alternative to the madrigal
- Originated in Naples and often featured humorous or satirical texts
- Simple, chordal texture with frequent use of parallel thirds and sixths
Contributions of Gesualdo and Monteverdi
- (1566-1613) was a late Renaissance composer known for his expressive and chromatic madrigals
- Utilized unusual harmonic progressions, chromaticism, and dramatic contrasts to convey emotional intensity
- Famous works include "Moro, lasso, al mio duolo" and "Beltà, poi che t'assenti"
- (1567-1643) was a key figure in the transition from Renaissance to Baroque music
- Composed both madrigals and early operas
- His later madrigals (such as those in his Eighth Book) incorporated and solo vocal passages, foreshadowing Baroque style
- Pioneered the use of the (agitated style) to express heightened emotions
French Secular Vocal Forms
Chanson
- was the principal French secular vocal form during the Renaissance
- Polyphonic setting of French poetry for three or more voices
- Composers included , Clément Janequin, and Guillaume Costeley
- Early chansons (1450-1520) were often based on popular melodies and had a simple, homophonic texture
- Later chansons (1520-1600) became more polyphonic and madrigal-like, with greater emphasis on text expression
- Programmatic chansons depicted scenes from nature or daily life through word painting and imitative textures (Janequin's "La guerre" and "Le chant des oiseaux")
Influence of Ronsard
- (1524-1585) was a renowned French poet whose works were frequently set to music by chanson composers
- Member of , a group of poets who sought to elevate the French language and create a national literature
- His poems, such as "Mignonne, allons voir si la rose," were popular choices for musical settings
- Ronsard's poetry inspired composers to explore more expressive and madrigal-like techniques in their chansons
Musical Techniques
Word Painting
- Word painting is a compositional technique that uses musical elements to illustrate the meaning of the text
- Became increasingly important in secular vocal music of the late Renaissance, particularly in madrigals and chansons
- Examples of word painting techniques:
- Ascending melodic lines to depict words like "rise" or "heaven"
- Descending melodic lines to illustrate words like "fall" or "depth"
- Dissonance or chromaticism to express pain, sorrow, or anguish
- Rapid, rhythmic passages to convey excitement, joy, or action
- Rests or pauses to emphasize words like "silence" or "death"
- Word painting allowed composers to create a more direct and expressive connection between music and text
- Heightened the emotional impact of the poetry and showcased the composer's skill in text interpretation
- Notable examples of word painting can be found in the works of Monteverdi, Gesualdo, and Janequin
- Monteverdi's "Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda" uses instrumental tremolo to depict the clashing of swords in battle
- Gesualdo's "Moro, lasso, al mio duolo" employs chromaticism and dissonance to convey the anguish of the text
Key Terms to Review (24)
A cappella: A cappella refers to vocal music performed without instrumental accompaniment. This style emphasizes the beauty of the human voice, often allowing for rich harmonies and intricate vocal arrangements. In both sacred and secular traditions, a cappella has been a significant form of expression, showcasing the capabilities of singers to create music purely through their voices.
Baroque: Baroque refers to a highly decorative and expressive style of art and music that flourished from the late 16th century to the early 18th century, characterized by grandeur, drama, and emotion. In music, the Baroque period saw the development of new forms and styles, including complex instrumental compositions and ornate vocal pieces, that emphasized contrast and movement, which can be seen in various musical genres.
Basso continuo: Basso continuo, or figured bass, is a musical accompaniment style commonly used during the Baroque period, characterized by a continuous bass line that is harmonically supported by chords. It provides the harmonic foundation for ensembles and soloists, allowing for improvisation and ornamentation above it. This technique played a crucial role in the development of instrumental forms, vocal genres, and the works of major composers during this influential era in music history.
Carlo Gesualdo: Carlo Gesualdo was an Italian composer from the late Renaissance period, known for his innovative and emotional madrigals and sacred music. His work is characterized by striking harmonic contrasts, intense chromaticism, and a deep exploration of human emotions, making him a significant figure in the development of the madrigal form. His unique style broke away from the conventions of his time, influencing later composers and providing a bridge to early Baroque music.
Chanson: The chanson is a type of French song that emerged during the Middle Ages, characterized by its lyrical poetry and often secular themes. It played a vital role in the development of vocal music, reflecting social and cultural changes while influencing various musical forms, particularly during the Renaissance when it became increasingly popular in courtly settings.
Chansons de Claude Le Jeune: Chansons de Claude Le Jeune refers to the secular vocal music composed by the French composer Claude Le Jeune, who was prominent in the late Renaissance period. These chansons, typically for multiple voices, highlight the blend of lyrical poetry and complex polyphonic texture, which were defining features of the chanson genre during this time. Le Jeune's work often showcases intricate melodic lines and rich harmonies, reflecting the evolving style of secular vocal music alongside the madrigal.
Claudin de Sermisy: Claudin de Sermisy was a prominent French composer of the Renaissance, known primarily for his contributions to the genre of chanson. His works reflect the transition from medieval styles to the more expressive and nuanced vocal polyphony that characterized the music of the late Renaissance.
Claudio Monteverdi: Claudio Monteverdi was an Italian composer, widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque period in music. His innovative approach to opera and his contributions to madrigal compositions marked significant developments in musical expression and form, making him a key influence on the evolution of Western music.
Counterpoint: Counterpoint is a musical technique that involves the combination of two or more independent melodies to create harmony. This technique is central to Western music, allowing composers to create intricate textures and polyphonic structures where melodies interact and complement each other. Understanding counterpoint helps to appreciate how various vocal forms can weave together different musical lines, enhancing both secular and sacred compositions.
Courtly love: Courtly love refers to a medieval European literary concept that emphasizes a highly idealized and often unattainable love between a knight and a noblewoman, characterized by admiration, devotion, and chivalry. This notion influenced not just the poetry of the time but also the music that accompanied these themes, particularly in secular compositions during the Middle Ages and the vocal forms that emerged later.
Ensemble singing: Ensemble singing refers to the performance of vocal music by a group of singers, where each member contributes to a cohesive sound and harmony. This style emphasizes collaboration and musical interplay, creating a rich texture that enhances the emotional and aesthetic experience of the piece. In the context of various secular vocal forms, ensemble singing is crucial for achieving the intricate harmonies and expressive dynamics that define works like madrigals and chansons.
French Chanson: The French chanson is a lyrical and melodic song that originated in France, particularly flourishing during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. Characterized by its expressive lyrics, often romantic or narrative in nature, the chanson played a vital role in the development of secular vocal music, showcasing intricate melodies and harmonies that set it apart from other forms of music.
Frottola: The frottola is an early Italian secular vocal form that emerged in the late 15th century, characterized by its simple, catchy melodies and light-hearted themes. Typically composed for three to four voices, the frottola served as a precursor to the more complex madrigal, featuring a homophonic texture and often utilizing playful or romantic lyrics that appealed to a wide audience.
Humanism: Humanism is an intellectual movement that emerged during the Renaissance, emphasizing the value of human beings, individualism, and the study of classical texts from Ancient Greece and Rome. It fostered a revival in the arts and sciences, promoting the idea that humans have the capacity for reason and creativity, which directly influenced both instrumental and vocal music of the period. By focusing on human experience and emotion, humanism reshaped artistic expression and encouraged composers to explore themes that resonated with people's lives.
Italian Madrigal: The Italian madrigal is a form of secular vocal music that flourished in the late 16th century, characterized by its expressive text setting and intricate polyphony. This musical genre was particularly popular among the aristocracy, showcasing emotions and themes often related to love and nature, while often using clever wordplay and imagery to enhance the meaning of the lyrics.
La pléiade: La pléiade refers to a group of 16th-century French poets who sought to elevate the French language and literature to the level of classical languages like Latin and Greek. This movement played a crucial role in the development of secular vocal forms such as the madrigal and chanson, emphasizing the importance of lyrical expression and poetic innovation in music.
Madrigal: A madrigal is a secular vocal music composition that originated during the Renaissance, characterized by its polyphonic texture and often set to poetry. This form of music emphasizes expressive melodies and intricate harmonies, typically performed by a small group of singers without instrumental accompaniment. The madrigal became particularly popular in Italy and later spread throughout Europe, intertwining with the development of polyphony and influencing various musical styles.
Musica transalpina: Musica transalpina refers to a collection of English madrigals published in 1588, which were specifically arranged for English singers and derived from Italian models. This collection played a pivotal role in the popularization of the madrigal genre in England, showcasing how Italian musical forms influenced English composers. It represents a significant cultural exchange and adaptation of styles between Italy and England during the late Renaissance period.
Pierre de Ronsard: Pierre de Ronsard was a prominent French poet of the Renaissance, known for his lyrical and often musical verse that greatly influenced the development of secular vocal forms like the madrigal and chanson. His works celebrated love, nature, and beauty, embodying the ideals of the Renaissance humanism that emphasized individual expression and the importance of art. Ronsard's poetry was frequently set to music by composers of his time, reflecting the close relationship between poetry and music in the development of these secular vocal forms.
Renaissance: The Renaissance was a cultural movement that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe, marking a period of renewed interest in classical art, literature, and learning. This era is characterized by advancements in various fields, including music, where innovation in polyphony, sacred compositions, and secular vocal forms flourished, reflecting a shift towards humanism and individuality in artistic expression.
Stile concitato: Stile concitato is a musical style characterized by rapid rhythms and a sense of agitation or excitement, often used to express intense emotions in vocal music. This style became prominent in the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, especially within the madrigal and chanson forms, where composers sought to convey heightened emotional states through dynamic musical techniques.
Text painting: Text painting is a musical technique where the music reflects the literal meaning of the lyrics, enhancing the emotional expression and storytelling of the song. This practice creates a direct connection between the text and the music, often through the use of melodic contours and rhythmic patterns that mirror the words being sung. By employing text painting, composers are able to elevate the narrative quality of their pieces, making them more engaging and impactful.
Thomas Morley: Thomas Morley was an English composer, theorist, and organist of the late Renaissance period, best known for his contributions to the development of English madrigals and his significant role in the establishment of secular vocal music. His works exemplified the flourishing of English polyphony and showcased the intricate interplay of text and music, connecting closely with both instrumental music of the time and the evolution of secular forms like the madrigal and chanson.
Villanella: The villanella is a secular vocal form that originated in the late Renaissance, characterized by its lively, rustic themes and simple, repetitive melodies. It is often associated with the folk music traditions of Italy and shares similarities with the madrigal and chanson due to its emphasis on expressive text setting and vocal harmony.