Secular Music Essay examples - 515 Words

Secular Music In addition to being a time of great religious significance, the sixteenth century was also a period of bawdy earthiness, irreverent humor, and celebration of sensual love. The same composers who created works for the greater glory of God also wrote compositions of an entirely different character. In Italy and England, the principal form of secularmusic was the madrigal, which in France was called chanson, and in Germany Lied. The madrigal is one of the most representative examples of developments in vocal music. The first madrigals originated in Italy around 1530, and were designed to convey in as much detail as possible the meaning of the poem on which they were based. The 1588 publication of a volume of translated†¦show more content†¦He is considered to be one of the most accomplished madrigalists of the English school. Renaissance musicians looked to Italy for models and inspiration. In Italy small, organized schools, referred to as Academies, led to the regular gathering and exchange of ideas between artists, poets, musicians, and the performance of new musical works. This type of activity was soon imitated throughout Europe. Music was no longer just accessible to the aristocracy and nobility, but slowly became part of the daily lives of common people. Instrumental Music The Lute The lute is one of the oldest musical instruments, dating back to around 2500 BC. Originating from the Middle East, this instrument gained in popularity amongst many cultures. The English word lute originally came from the Arabic al-oud, which literally means branch of wood. Other versions of this instrument are also known in Japan and Africa. The Japanese Shamisen is another example of a lute instrument. Up until the end of the 1700s, the lute was one of the most popular instruments in Europe. Lute music is usually written using a complex system of notation known as tabular notation or tablature, which uses numbers and letters of the alphabet to represent pitches through finger placement on the instruments neck and frets. Renaissance instrumental compositions were often written to explore the technical and expressiveShow MoreRelatedEssay about Music: The Change from Spiritual to Secular1810 Words   |  8 Pagesmarked a period of new beginnings for the people living in England; this time is known as the Renaissance. In England, the people were challenging their past beliefs; where before the Renaissance, England thrived basing their lives, government, and music off of God and his principles alone. During these one-hundred and seventy-five years, the English people started questioning their original principles about religion and established a yearning for information and proof based off of science insteadRead MoreThe Affect of Sacred Music on Secular Music875 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Swing Low Sweet Chariot† has been said to be a favorite song of secular music star Beyonce. To some this may come as an incredibly shocking revelation as Ms. Knowles lyrics and public antics often are seen as everything but the acts of a true Christian woman. It is also a known fact that the things one partakes in during their youth greatly shapes the rest of their lives. Beyonce growing up in the church is reflected to the public by one of her favorite songs being a classic gospel song. â€Å"When youRead MoreSimilarities Between Catholicism And Secular Humanism1617 Words   |  7 PagesA similarity is that both Catholicism and Secular Humanism believe that there is a moral code which must be followed to live a peaceful life, however they differ as to the origin, with Catholicism being that God created the moral compass whereas Secular Humanists believe that human char acter and behaviour created moral beliefs. Both believe in the ethical principles and the dignity and worth of all people and creation. Both also believe in the truth setting individuals free and that there is a purposeRead MoreEssay Questions On Human Flourishing Project1727 Words   |  7 PagesFlourishing Project: Issues in Secular Music Has secular music taken over a large percentage of what the world listens to? Secular music has evolved tremendously over the past six decades worldwide, including new music genres such as alternative, hip hop and rap, and Dubstep. The memorable lyrics and contagious beats played on the radio have enticed Christians and non-believers into secular music’s deceiving, yet subtle, power. Singers discuss the indulgences in this music: alcohol, sex, drugs, and everyRead MoreSacred Music in the Age of Rebirth Essay1251 Words   |  6 Pageschanges in sacred music in the Renaissance, and consider the Church’s response. In order to understand the changes which occurred in music and which affected the Liturgy in the Renaissance period, it is necessary to give a brief sketch of music in earlier times. The first notable aspect of Renaissance music and musical thought is the pace at which it developed. This rapidity stands in contrast to all previous music history. The history of Western art music properly begins with the music of the ChristianRead MoreReligious Music And Its Influence On The Music Industry1388 Words   |  6 Pagespeople listen to secular music or be entertained by television shows? Music has always been a source of entertainment from the days of ole until today. Music is either spiritual or secular. Secular music can be defined as music that does not have a biblical message; it instigates promiscuity, violence or any other possible harmful acts. Some say listening to secular music is harmless because it doesn’t influence your spirituality. The music you listen to should glorify God. Music in its originalRead MoreLeonardo s Madonna Of The Rocks1298 Words   |  6 Pagesculture. Music in the Middle Ages was generally monophonic, meaning it had a single melodic line. Sacred voice music such as Gregorian Chants were set to Latin text and sung unaccompanied. Since songs during the period were either troubadour or trouvà ¨re, the chants had no real harmony. Composers were relatively uninterested in expressing the emotions of a text. Composers based original compositions on chant melodies, which often move by step within a narrow range. It was the only type of music allowedRead MoreMusic s Influence On Western Music1347 Words   |  6 PagesI’m concerned, music has magical power, as the saying goes, music makes a qualities of race higher and expensive, where have music, where enjoy to melt . I think western music is the most fashionable music in the world.Even in classical western music, it was also very modern.Western music has very long history, experienced lots of difficulties and changes. Until now, there are still many researchers studying western m usic’s history. As I know, early western music mostly were light music which didn’tRead MoreThe Power of Music Essay1051 Words   |  5 PagesThe Power of Music Music is the expression of emotion through the medium of sound. From the very first moment a human heard a songbird and endeavored to recreate that beauty, or beat on a hollow log and found the rhythm compelling, music has become the most powerful freedom given by God. Music, in itself, is a characteristic common and unique to all cultures throughout the world. Every culture in history includes music as an important part of everyday life. Music, as a part of culture, willRead MoreMusic from Italy and England690 Words   |  3 Pageswas presented to them. Italy and England were some of the places that were greatly influenced by the renaissance. Music is one area that greatly improved during those years as the Italians took the Trecento Madrigal music. While in England, they used the Elizabethan Madrigal form of music. These two traditions greatly related to each other in many ways. The madrigal was a secular music composition that was discovered during the Renaissance and Baroque years (Adorno 19). They originated in Italy around