The Renaissance saw the musical shackles of the Medieval Period being broken, and both secular and sacred music became livelier and more expressive, and through the developments of printed music, more widely available. Browse our sheet music and scores, and pick up a mass or a madrigal today!
The driving force of the Renaissance was humanism (from the Latin “hummanus” or human), the dogmas of the church were overturned by science, and art was inspired by antiquity and a new, harmonious worldview. Vocal polyphony was very much at the forefront of Renaissance music, and a desire for perfect form, and rational, logical sophistication emerged. In church music, the cyclic form of the Mass, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei was still widely deployed, and musical settings of Motets, Litanies, Psalms and Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis broadened the congregation’s musical experience. Secular vocal music also developed through the madrigals, and polyphonic and unison songs.
In contrast to the Medieval Period, the Renaissance began with a new design principle, imitation. A short, lively theme moves from voice to voice, and the composer creates a counter-melody to compliment it. Elements from the Medieval however were still present, and the “cantus firmus” or fixed chant was often a device of choice in the Renaissance. The cantus firmus takes a theme from Gregorian Chant or Folk Music, but the composer uses augmentation, elongates the note values, and uses the cantus firmus as the harmonic basis for this polyphonic work. From here, the canon soon evolved, which was the clear precursor to the baroque fugue.
The Renaissance marked a big step in the development of instrumental music, and a significant move towards independence for solo instruments, and chamber groups. Traditionally instruments were used as accompaniment for choir or solo singing or for dance music, but through the Renaissance Period, pure instrumental solo or ensemble music became more and more popular. In particular, Renaissance Organ Music experienced a great boom due to the technical development of the instrument, and it was during the 16th century that more vocal instrumental music started emerging, and the first works featuring basso continuo were written.
Item no.: 1629761
Item no.: 1629488
from Madrigali Guerrieri. Libro VIII, No. 2
for six Voices (SSATTB), two Violins and Continuo
for: Mixed choir (SSATTB), 2 violins, basso continuo
Choir score
Item no.: 676561
11. Allora i pastor tutti - Terza parte
for: SSATB Chor
Choir score
Item no.: 1629687
18. Lumi, miei cari lumi
for: SSS(A)TB Chor
Choir score
Item no.: 1629369
19. Non m’è grave ’l morire
for: SSATB Chor
Choir score
Item no.: 1629759
20. Ti spontò l’ali, Amor, la donna mia
for: SSATB Chor
Choir score
Item no.: 1629519
Zeitschrift fuer Spielmusik
for: 4 melodic instruments
Ensemble score
Item no.: 173072
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1579169
for: Voice (bass), guitar
Sheet music
Item no.: 1249523
Early Music Library 199
for: 4 voices [4 melodic instruments]
4 Performance scores
Item no.: 427709
für vier Violoncelli
for: 4 cellos
Item no.: 675093
Ricercate e passaggi 21
for soprano instrument (voice) and Bc
for: Melody instrument (C), basso continuo
Score, part
Item no.: 616983
for: Soprano [Tenor] and Organ
Book
Item no.: 989233
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383740
for: 3-Part Mixed Choir a Cappella
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 934376
for: Choir (2 voices), piano
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 935205
for: Choir (3 voices), piano
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 929663
for: Mixed choir (SATB); piano ad lib.
Choir score
Item no.: 940478
English Instrumental Music 28
Item no.: 618580
Flute & Klavier (Organ)
for: Flute, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 594986
for: 1–3 voices, basso continuo
Score (Hardcover)
Item no.: 931577
for: 4 viole da gamba
Set of parts
Item no.: 930669
for: Mixed choir (3–6 parts) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 372980
for: 4 viole da gamba
Set of parts
Item no.: 291566
for: 1–3 voices
Choir score
Item no.: 796057
for: 4-5 viole da gamba
Set of parts
Item no.: 930720
for: 6 viole da gamba
Set of parts
Item no.: 929261
for: Piano [harpsichord/organ]
Music score
Item no.: 296205
for: Piano [harpsichord/organ]
Music score
Item no.: 296202
for: Mixed choir a cappella
Choir book
Item no.: 930829
aus: Selva morale et spirituale
for: Voice (bass), basso continuo
Score, part
Item no.: 665342
aus "Sonata concertante in stilo moderno", Venedig
for: Sopran-Blockflöte (Flöte, Violine) und Generalbass (Gitarre)
Music score
Item no.: 739963
for: Mixed choir (2–8 parts) a cappella
Vocal score
Item no.: 289028
for: Mixed choir a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 280840
for: Male choir
Choir score
Item no.: 280347
for: 5 recorders (SSATB)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 351874
for: Mixed choir (SATTB) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 354266
for: Orgel (Cembalo)
Item no.: 352164
for: beliebige Instrumente (SATB); Basso continuo ad libitum
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 157683
Edition Schott
for: 3 recorders (STB)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 734492
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 420804
for: 2 guitars
Ensemble score
Item no.: 393856
for: 3 recorders (SAT)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 355327
for: Treble recorder, guitar
Ensemble score
Item no.: 354799
for: gemischter Chor (SAB) und Klavier
Music score
Item no.: 761427
Motet
for: gemischter Chor (SAAT/ATTB)
Choir score
Item no.: 781819
Möseler Chorreihe
for: Mixed choir (SSATTB) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 781800
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