Unit information: The Renaissance: Polyphonic Mass in 2013/14

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Unit name The Renaissance: Polyphonic Mass
Unit code MUSIM0146
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Allinson
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Music
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The Renaissance Polyphonic Mass

By 1450 the Mass had become the grandest musical genre a composer of polyphony could tackle. The theorist Tinctoris classified it the cantus magnus, ranking it above the motet and chanson in prestige.

In this course we will survey the diverse ways in which composers set the words of the Mass Ordinary (that is: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei). How did composers structure their textures? How did they create coherence across and within the lengthy movements? We will spend time looking in detail at the output of key figures, including early pioneers like Du Fay, Ockeghem, Obrecht and Josquin; we will examine national trends, stopping off in 16th century England, Germany and the Franco-Flemish lands; then, towards the end of the course we will meet the high Renaissance masters of the genre: Palestrina, Lassus, Victoria and, of course, Byrd.

While some of the course is focussed on the technical elements of compositional process and style, the music will be set against its intellectual, social and religious background; for example, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. Students will be encouraged to score-read, analyse and listen to this (frequently breathtaking) repertory and to develop a discriminating sense of style.

This unit aims:

  • to give students an opportunity to expand the breadth of their historical knowledge through the study of optional subjects
  • to expand their knowledge of the associated musical repertoire and to be able to comment accurately and perceptively on matters of style and structure
  • to develop their ability to assemble and assimilate information from a wide variety of sources
  • to engage in critical evaluation of texts about music
  • to develop effective and detailed arguments, both orally and in writing
  • to display competence in the practices, processes, techniques and methodologies that underpin musicological practice

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students are expected to (1) be able to describe with confidence the techniques and procedures employed in the renaissance polyphonic mass (2) have a good knowledge of the intellectual and social background that informed the repertoire (3) write critically and perceptively about the composers, styles, and social context of the renaissance polyphonic mass, using appropriate language and terminology And additionally (specific to Levels H and M) to: (4) engage with, and perhaps critique, the theoretical constructs that underpin different scholarly interpretations of music of this period And additionally (specific to level M) to: (5) make, defend and critique arguments orally (6) apply existing analytical strategies to Masses not discussed in class, with flexibility and creativity (7) demonstrate the capacity for independent research

Teaching Information

9x2 hour classes for the whole cohort (including the MA presentations) 1x2 hour tutorial for the MA students

Assessment Information

MA: One essay, independently devised and researched, of 4000 words (75%). This will demonstrate (1), (2), (4) and (7) through (3). PLUS one individual 15-minute presentation on an independently-researched topic, distinct from that of the essay (25%). This will demonstrate (6) and (7) through (5)

Reading and References

New Grove Online: ‘Mass’, esp. II, 5-9. J Haar (ed.), European Music, 1520-1640 (Woodbridge, 2006), esp. ch.7: A.W. Atlas, ‘Music for the Mass’. A.W. Atlas, Renaissance Music: Music in Western Europe, 1400-1600 (New York & London, 1998) L.L. Perkins, Music in the Age of the Renaissance (New York & London, 1999) R. Sherr (ed.), The Josquin Companion (Oxford, 2000) H. Mayer Brown, Music in the Renaissance, rev. ed. Louise Stein (Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1999)

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