A Brief History
On June 16, 2012, Forgotten Books published The English Madrigal Composers. The book concerns a style of music popularized during The Renaissance Era in Europe, a new age for invention and discovery. It was an age of rebirth and re-education in the arts, and science. It was also important to know that the Renaissance Era was also the age of re-education of Ancient European history for example, Greek philosophy and Roman teaching and characteristic to the general public. The alpha of the printing press by German painter, Johannes Gutenberg was an encouragement of knowledge as well as literacy.
Religion would also become segmented from the solemn Roman Catholic Church, by the teachings and theology of Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation. Therefore the outlook on life and divine intervention would become re-imagined by perspectives of the human eye. The spirit or God’s image would be portrayed by artists with paintings and molded sculptures of stature. Authors or poets, for example William Shakespeare would write plays to express the senses such as Ancient Greek comedies and tragedies. All of these elements ordained in the Renaissance Era would be made into sonnets and poetry transformed into music and sung by close harmony groups called “madrigals”. Madrigal is originated in Italian “madrigale”, which means simple song, from “matricallus”, Latin meaning maternal or primitive. Madrigal songs are half songs for four voicing parts:Bass, Baritone, Soprano and Alto. The songs were arranged in elaborate counterpoint, without instrumental accompaniment. Most of the madrigal song lyrics were predominantly Italian and Latin, and were later written in the vernacular to recite poems or sonnets by popularly Shakespeare or other Renaissance poets. The texts of these madrigal songs dealt with unrequited love, and were often lyrically melancholy, but pleasant to the ears. Say if you were once a student in a madrigal choir in high school, you would have had the pleasure to have sang one of the songs by these great Renaissance composers.
Also say that you were once a young choirboy in a Episcopal Church (hint! hint!), you would have sang one of these composer’s songs during a church service. Most of the Christmas carols we hear or sing today, were written by these composers mentioned.This list is based on madrigal composers were introduced to the musical public on the level of achievements and historical influences, which they are credited for, not for the number of songs which they composed in their profession. This style in which the list is detailed is ranking not by level of popularity either. So sit back, relax, and jump in this literal time machine to hear about these historical madrigal greats.
Digging Deeper
10. Jacob Arcadelt
The first of the ten to mention on the list is present day Belgian born, Jacques or Jacob Arcadelt (1504-1568). Monsieur Arcadelt was known for his madrigal style becoming mentioned for his style of sonorous homophony and combined his lyrical arrangement with great Renaissance poets, such as Michelangelo (no relation to the Ninja Turtle). He was also known to help establish transform the mundane oriented music form to a serious art form. His reputation lays more on his earlier than later works. He favored the four voiced homophonous texture along with his secular music which is most to mention, due to the fact that his music was set in a Italian treble style called “frottola”. And lastly Arkadelt’s secular simple structure influenced another composer further on the list, Giovanni de la Palestrina.
9. Josquin Desprez
The ninth composer on the list is French born Josquin Desprez or Despres(1450-1521). The purpose why Desprez is on the list is for his title of recognition by Martin Luther as being acclaimed “the master of the notes”. Desprez’s music is also known as an embellishment, worthy of the world class court to music . Publishers would claim Desprez’s works as sales that would be assured. Other composers claimed his apprenticeship in return to improve their own works. Josquin’s music is noticed as one of the great treasures of Western culture. Desprez is on this list, because one of his essential achievements was that he was “court singer” of King René D’Anjou, who was the uncle of King Louis XI of France. This achievement would give Desprez the opportunity to Louis XI’s premier chapelain, Johannes Ockegham to become a personal servant and singer to Ascanio Sforza, brother of Duke of Milan. This affiliation gave Desprez the opportunity to serve for the courts of Quattrocento Italy, where he would become the choirmaster of the papal choir of Rome.
8. Thomas Weelkes
Eighth on the list is Thomas Weelkes (Baptized 1576-1623). Weelkes was known to be one of the the greatest composers of madrigals. Weelkes, English organist and composer, received his Bachelor of Music , like Dowland at the University of Oxford. Weelkes is on the top of the list, for the fact that he was nicknamed the “Gentleman of the Chapel Royal” , but to decode that, he was a drunkard and blasphemer according to the Chichester Cathedral. So in that opinion, Weelkes would be the rebel or anti-hero of the Renaissance, pur say. So in that case, Weelkes was known more for his choral music and works, than his reputation. Because of his comparison of non secular and non, he is on the list. One song that should be checked out is “Since Robin Hood”, also known as the “Kemps Dance”.
7. John Dowland
The Seventh on the list is London born, John Dowland (1562-1626). Dowland was not only known for composing. He was also an educated singer, as well as a lute player extraordinaire, and was considered one of the best musicians of his time. Dowland is also on ranked on this list, because of his travels and achievements as a musician. In 1580, Dowland was a “servant” to Sir Henry Cobham, the ambassador of the French court. Eight years later, he received a bachelor of music degree from the University of Oxford. After he converted to Roman Catholicism, he was denounced as the royal court lutenist and decided to travel around Europe. Through his travels to Nürnberg, Genoa, Florence, and Venice, there was a notice to his talent. Dowland is also to be mention, since he was a court lutist for Christian IV of Denmark for short term, and then gained the title “musicians for the lutes” by James I. To sum this up on why Dowland is a top 10 is his multi-talents that were broadcasted across the continent and his influences of song ideas by his travels. One song that would describe his poetic work is “Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Now Invite”.
6. Thomas Morley
Sixth on the list, “a better Thomas to add” is Thomas Morley (1557-1602) . Morley pursued his life and demise in the same place Norwich, England. I spent three weeks and sung in Norwich Cathedral. The town is one to visit, and the cathedral is a must to visit. Morley is not one to add on the list, because in most of the choirs I was in, I sang. But for the fact that Morley is historically titled the “first of the great madrigalists”. Morley has held a helm of musical achievements. He earned his Bachelor of Music is you guessed it, University of Oxford. Next he was the head choirmaster of Norwich Cathedral, and organist at St. Giles Cripplegate to St. Paul’s Cathedral where he opposite of Thomas Weelkes, had a the title “Gentleman of the Chapel Royal”. Also he was an entrepreneur as well as a businessman aside from being a composer. Another important reason why Morley is on the list is that he was under the influence of another madrigal composer that is on the top, William Byrd. Morley is also known to have adopted the quintessential Italian music form to Elizabethan England. One of his works, which is worth to mention is a present day used madrigal song, Sing We and Chant It.
5. Giovanni de la Palestrina
Fifth is Giovanni de la Palestrina or Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) . Italian-born Palestrina is top on this list, for his struggles and determination through his life and career. It can be difficult to myth from reality when it comes to telling the life of Palestrina. Even though Palestrina is considered one of the highly acclaimed musicians of the sixteenth century, he was not named “The Saviour of Church Music’. Although through his life, he had wrote a great number of musical works. He was documented to be a hard-headed, family devoted, business man. After the bubonic plague took his wife and two sons, he did not surrender his work. He is also up on this list, because of the rejections he had received from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Julius III, but he did not lose his title as a great composer since Pope Gregory XIII had commissioned him choirmaster of the Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Palestrina is near the top of the list because of his development in music in Roman Catholic music, for well-balanced voicing parts, and smooth polyphonic sound.
4. William Byrd
Fourth is William Byrd (1539-1623) . Byrd demands great attention to madrigals. Byrd was historically known to the Anglican church of England, especially titled the “father of music”. In 1575, Queen Elizabeth I granted him joint monopoly for the importation, printing, and publishing of his works. Byrd was also known for being versatile in his works. For not just this favor by her majesty, Byrd deserves to be on the top five of the list for his beautifully composed works composed for Anglican/ Roman Catholic church music today. The purpose why he is on this list, is for the versatility he would influence into madrigal music, as well as his instrumental works. One song that should be mentioned is Ave Verum Corpus.
3. Thomas Tallis
Third on the list is Thomas Tallis (1510-1585) . Tallis is mentioned on this list, because of his sacred music mentorship for other composers mentions, for example William Byrd and Thomas Morley. Also Tallis’s compositions would surround the Reformation music and the great continental schools of polyphony. Also Tallis was a great influence to introducing new styles to English church music. As he would be the teacher of Byrd, he also had the grant of Queen Elizabeth for publication and print. The purpose of why Tallis is near the top of the list, is for his legacy to experience the Counter Reformation, and therefore his works would be influenced by that great historical impact. Tallis was also known to be a humble man, along with his work being commonly used in today madrigal choirs. The last two lines of his epitaph – “As he did live, so also did he die, in mild and quiet sort . . .O happy man! ; To God full oft for mercy did he cry, wherefore he lives, let death do what it can.” – allude to a quiet, pious man, but little else.
2. Claudio Monteverdi
Second on the list is Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643). Monteverdi is on this list, for the fact that he was alive between not just the Renaissance period, but the Baroque as well. Monteverdi’s influence altered the polyphonic music voicing to instrumental, unlike the evolutionary style from the 1570s . Whereas he played violin and wrote madrigal song by an honorable mention, Luca Marenzio of the pre Italian madrigal structure. He also was first to develop the first stages of a story with a musical setting, which would dominate the next music are, called opera. The first opera called Orfeo established hi9m as a musical genius, than a contemporary composer. Which is why he fits on the rank of second place, for his revolutionary style in his works.
1. Anonymous
And last and number one on the list is . . . . Anonymous! Why anonymous? Anonymous would be the any on the works by composers that would never be established as the writer. The mystery of this identity is an enigma in itself, but. It also opens the question to “who could have wrote this song?” enter our minds. It is certain to say some of the most beautiful songs of the madrigal Renaissance era were by the Anonymous composers. Knowing the fact that women were not known to any profession in the Renaissance era, could be one assumption. For example Queen Elizabeth? Queen Elizabeth was a philanthropist for the purpose of the printing of William Byrd, and Thomas Tallis’s music, and could they have all composed it together? Another theory of who this Anonymous composer was is any female could have been a possibility. Women’s roles in society during the Renaissance Era was controlling over patriarchy. This reality meant that women’s title to social standards would be that there would be limitations. Women would primarily be active in homemaking, household working, and childbearing. Niccolo Machiavelli in his literary works, Mandragola, and The Devil Takes a Wife , explains that society and the upheld of the roles of women existed inequality in the society then, where in the control of the patriarchy. Therefore women could not participate in the government and public spheres, and mostly education. Which in conclusion, if women would be limited to education, then the arts and music education would be limited. Although women were not allowed titles, they were still allowed to attend church, are be choir member, and thus madrigals, but composers? So that is why Anonymous is at the top.
So in a nutshell there is the chosen top ten madrigal composers of the Renaissance. Notice that most of these composers stood by a sacred oath to religion and to royalty, while some of the secular ones used art descriptions, and poetry, as well as theatrical arts in their music. The joyous sounding melodies, and the visual poetry of woe, and love would be used today in Renaissance fairs, Christmas time, and church masses. Nevertheless, we are in awe to these musical geniuses and also how they caused a great change in the next eras to come.
Question for students (and subscribers): Who is your favorite composer from the Renaissance? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Calcagno, Mauro. From Madrigal to Opera: Monteverdi’s Staging of the Self. University of California Press, 2012.
Fellowes, Edmund Horace. The English Madrigal Composers (Classic Reprint). Forgotten Books, 2012.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2462 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=2462">68 Comments
Congrats Chris and good work!
Music back in that time period was so much deeper than music today….. It was relaxing, instrument oriented, and had meaning.
Music as an art, as well as composer are not given the credit that other artists are. I Have not heard of more than a couple of the names mentioned above. This was an impressive paper for a student, though.
There is a clear distinction between the music of that era and today. The meaning behind the music has warped and faded into uselessness. Today’s music seeks to be catchy and pop-like. The music of then was passionate and intricate.
It’s odd to think that the tragedies of the Dark Ages ended because of the classical influences of people like Plato, Socrates, Alexander The Great or whatever other famous ancient individuals. It’s interesting to think about what the world would have been like had the Italian Renaissance had never have happened. Ancient and important texts about ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology would have been lost to history and the founding for modern philosophy would have never existed. Just think about the talent that would have been lost if people like Descartes, John Locke, or Adam Smith were never able to express their thoughts. Our world would be a completely different place.
It is fascinating to know that many composers of famous songs are unknown.
The fact that a number of the greatest song writers of the Renaissance era will never be known is quite intriguing as it does leave the possibility of participation in music composition by those groups who would normally not be allowed to create music.
Music has always been essential in my life. I would like to thank all composers for their contributions… both past and present! — DAVID WARDLE
This is one thing in history that baffles me is how can all these people who ave an impact go unnoticed.
I’m always astounded at how amazingly talented individuals were during the Renaissance.
I am a huge fan of classical music and this top 10 list is awesome! Well done Chris!
Although not exactly my style of music, Renaissance composers did make some beautiful music. Sadly they were not always acknowledged or known.
Very interesting article. The music during those times was definitely seen more as art
I think it’s great the best composer or composers from that era are anonymous. They are still remembered through song even though their names are lost in history.
I’ve heard of some of these musicians and composers but I never knew the correct term for them. Being a madrigal sounds like interesting work.
Have never heard of any of these people. Interesting read.
good article! I had no idea of any of these composers
I can honestly say I have never heard of a single one of those composers, is that bad haha? It just comes to show how important music was all the way back then, how it expressed people and influenced others. The art of music is definitely something is irreplaceable and soooo many different types, and so many different periods and cultures that it can date back to
I have never heard of any of these composers, however, I have heard of some of the songs that they composed, such as Ave Verum Corpus. Also, it’s interesting to note that there are several songs in which the composer stayed anonymous, which just shows that there are many different people in history who went unnoticed for their accomplishments.
I have never heard of any of these composers! Very interesting.
Wow this article was great! It is amazing to hear of the people that made these amazing songs.
Religion was a key inspiration in all forms of art during that time period.
I didn’t know that music of this era was like this. I think its interesting to see how religion and music evolved and was such a big part of history.
Each of these composers had their own unique song writing and each one of them accomplished so many goals with their music.
Anonymous is the number one on the list?! Don’t see that too often, but here it makes sense. It goes to show people could artistically create great things without knowing how to write or specifics.
Definitely interesting to see how music was back then.
I was quite surprised to not see mozart as number 1 or even listed. I was also surprised that William Byrd was number 4. It is cool to hear about the bass, baritone, alto and soprano styled music. As a singer I found this quite interesting because I did not realize how long those named parts have been around.
Interesting to see what kind of music was popular back then (obviously compared to now). Mozart not being on here shocked me.
I wouldn’t be able to live in this time. I would have a constant headache hearing all of this type of music.
Some of these sound pretty creepy, not going to lie.
I really like classical music but i hate the harpsichord!
There are so many different styles of music. I always like hearing about old styles and how they have been transformed into some of the stuff we hear today. I also wonder what these composers would have thought of say, pop or rock music that are all over the place today. I am not sure they would have been completely sold on most of it, but who knows!
Needless to say music has changed for the better since then…
Not bad!
Interesting to see how music changed over the years
Interesting and also thankful that for those who are now leading worship music.
interesting how some of these are still used today.
I hate talking about music. It’s so confusing for me, with all the terms it sounds like it is a different language.
Music is like a language all its own. Idk what id do if music didnt exist!
Like their style or not… they helped pave the way for the musicians of today! — DAVID WARDLE
I have never heard of these composers , That’s awesome !
Claudio seemed pretty interesting. Lived through two musical periods.
New music is always a plus! I love seeing how music has evolved!
i never heard of this style of music or any of the composers
The way music has evolved is incredible. I don’t always like a lot of the classics, but I appreciate their role in the development of music as a whole.
It’s unfortunate that none of the women who composed music at this time were able to publish it under their own name.
Classical music is one of my favorite genres, so it is interesting to read about many composers I have never heard of. Without this type of music, who knows where we would be at now. Music evolves over time and changes to fit with the times.
Classical music composed in the 1700’s often belonged to the royalty under whom the music was created. Not until the 1800’s were composers able to claim their own composition.
I barely knew anyone on that list. Always fun to learn new things about music
bu giguoghitftydctdtf
Its awesome to read about these people because I have not heard of many of them! Its weird to see how unknown these people are.
Very good article
i would of never of known that alot of these great works of music never got a composer that said he or she did them that was very surpisng to me i feel if i did a great thing i would like credit for it.
The Renaissance’s composers was truly ground breaking for taking music beyond worship into an evolution that would lead to Baroque then most notably Classical, which such complex orchestration.
This article was awesome. I have never heard about Renaissance composers before.
I will never understand why women were never allowed to do things as themselves, like publishing their music under their name or even being apart of plays. It just amuses me to see how much women are needed in society but they were given little power or room to freely express themselves.
it’s sad that women composed a lot of music and they weren’t able to even publish it..
I like the added touch of including the anonymous composers in this article. While we may not remember them by name, they are still remembered in some way by honoring them in this article.
It’s shameful that many composers never received recognition for their amazing work just because of their sex. Sad how it was a common view that women were inherently unequal and only should do certain tasks in the home.
Sexual Inequality is sad enough, but even in music. It is very disheartening to see those women not get credit for their work.
I really do not know who any of these people are but I found it interesting to learn about some other musical geniuses besides rappers
This was a god article and its cool that some are still used !
Interesting but I dont really care about them and will stick to heavy metal.
I always find it interesting that over the years no one was able to discover the authors of this music
I’ve never heard of these people before. However, it was very interesting to learn about them.
Knowing that the unknown composers wrote the most beautiful songs. It would be nice to one day research who wrote those songs
not everyone was into murder and revenge! some were into art and music! this gives me hope in humanity
its funny how you never hear a name the all the sudden there is so much to learn about them