MHST 532 Topics in Renaissance Music
Approaching the inner workings of music before 1600 depends upon understanding technical procedures that are specific to the period. Thus, the difference between triadic and dyadic harmonic syntax, and between tonal principles of the “common practice” era versus modal ones that had been in place since the plainchant era, must be clearly differentiated and their respective value recognized. Through a pro-seminar format, this course is devoted to exploring relevant musicological and theoretical literature with a view to clarifying the concepts introduced above, and applying them to the analysis of actual polyphonic compositions from the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries. Please note that substantial reading and student participation are expected.