| A | B |
|---|
| Josquin des Prez | (ca. 1450-1521) Wrote more than 50 motets= while masses were normally based on existing music and always set the same text, most motets were freely composed and their texts were quite varied= His motets show traits of late 5th c. style (including clarity in phrasing, form, and tonal organization; fluid and tuneful melodies; transparent textures; use of imitation/homophony; careful declamation of text) |
| Josquin: Text and expression | Josquin is known for reflecting meaning of the words in 2 ways: 1) through TEXT DEPICTION; and through TEXT EXPRESSION |
| Text Depiction | Using musical gestures to reinforce the images in teh text |
| Text Expression | Conveying through music the emotions suggested by the text |
| Josquin: "Ava Maria...virgo serena" | Motet= The music is perfectly crafted to fit the words= Josquin defines the form of the text by giving each segment a unique musical treatment and a concluding cadence on the tonal center C= Texture constantly changes= Motet opens with several overlapping points of imitation |
| Josquin: "Ava Maria...virgo serena" | pg. 205 |
| Josquin: "Ava Maria...virgo serena"= Analysis | This motet is excellent= Clear projection of the tonal center, clearly delineated phrases and sections, elegant/beautiful counterpoint, variety in texture, and sensitive declamation, depiction, and expression of text |
| Josquin: "Ava Maria...virgo serena"= How new? | Josquin regarded as first composer to use text depiction and text expression in a consistent and recognizable way= However, there were composers that created meanings by singling out certain words for emphasis (e.g. Dunstable's "Quam pulchra es") or by using a borrowed melody in a certain way (eg. Ockeghem's "Missa Caput")...yet before the late 5th c. (i.e. before Josquin)...there was NO CONSISTENT METHOD for suggesting emotions/expression in music |
