Composers and events of the Renaissance

Events

John Dunstable

1390 - 24 December 1453

was an English composer of polyphonic music of the late medieval era and early Renaissance periods. He was one of the most famous composers active in the early 15th century, a near-contemporary of Leonel Power, and was widely influential, not only in England but on the continent, especially in the developing style of the Burgundian School.

G. Dufay

5 August 1397 - 27 November 1474

Guillame Dufay was a Franco-Flemish composer of the early Renaissance. A central figure in the Burgundian School, he was regarded by his contemporaries as one of the leading composers in Europe in the mid-15th century

Johannes Ockeghem

1410 - February 1497

was a Belgian composer of the Renaissance period, being the main songwriter of the second generation of school francoflamenca.

Invention of the Pritings Press by J.Gutemberg

1440

Josquin Des Prez

1450 - 27 August 1521

He was the most famous European composers between Guillaume Dufay and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and is usually considered to be the central figure of the Franco-Flemish School

Christopher Columbus discovered America

1451

Juan de Enzina

12 July 1468 - 1529

Was a poet, musician and theatrical author of the Spanish Prerrenacimiento in the time of the Catholic Monarchs. It belonged, along with Juan de Anchieta, among others, to the first period of the so-called Castilian polyphonic school, one of the most important in Spain, and which best represents the polyphonic evolution in this country. It reached great lyrical height in its glosses and carols.

Clement Janequin

1485 - 1558

Clement Janequin was a French composer of the Renaissance. He was one of the most famous composers of popular chansons of the entire Renaissance, and along with Claudin de Sermisy, was hugely influential in the development of the Parisian chanson, especially the programmatic type. The wide spread of his fame was made possible by the concurrent development of music printing.

Claudin de Sermisy

1490 - 13 October 1562

was a French composer of the Renaissance. Along with Clément Janequin he was one of the most renowned composers of French chansons in the early 16th century; in addition he was a significant composer of sacred music. His music was both influential on, and influenced by, contemporary Italian styles.

Cristobal de Morales

1500 - 1553

was a Spanish composer of the Renaissance. He is generally considered to be the most influential Spanish composer before Victoria.

Luis de Narváez

1500 - 1555

Luis de Narvaez was a Spanish composer and vihuelist. Highly regarded during his lifetime, Narváez is known today for Los seys libros del delphín, a collection of polyphonic music for the vihuela which includes the earliest known variation sets. He is also notable for being the earliest composer for vihuela to adapt the contemporary Italian style of lute music.

Andrea Amati

1505 - 26 December 1577

was a luthier, from Cremona, Italy. Amati is credited with making the first instruments of the violin family that are in the form we use today. According to the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota

Antonio de Cabezon

March 30, 1510 - March 26, 1566

Was an organist, harpist and Spanish composer of the Renaissance.

Publication of Martin Luther`s theses

1517

G. P. da Palestrina

30 September 1525 - 2 February 1597

was an Italian composer of choral repertoire from the Renaissance. Was the most famous representative of the Romanian School, in the sixteenth century. Palestrina exerted a great influence on the development of sacred music in the Catholic Church.

Francisco Guerrero

4 October 1528 - 8 November 1599

was a Spanish composer of the Renaissance. He was born and died in Seville.

Henry VIII became Supreme Head of the church in England

1531

Trento`s Council

1545

Tomas Luis de Victoria

1548 - 1611

was the most famous composer in 16th-century Spain, and was one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation, along with Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso. Victoria was not only a composer, but also an accomplished organist and singer as well as a Catholic priest. However, he preferred the life of a composer to that of a performer

Monteverdi

15 May 1567 - 29 Novembre 1643

Monteverdi is considered a crucial transitional figure between the Renaissance and the Baroque periods of music history.While he worked extensively in the tradition of earlier Renaissance polyphony, such as in his madrigals, he also made great developments in form and melody and began employing the basso continuo technique, distinctive of the Baroque. Monteverdi wrote one of the earliest operas, L'Orfeo, which is the earliest surviving opera still regularly performed.