Music History During the Renaissance Period, 1425-1520

This annotated chronology of western music is the second in a planned series of outlines of the history of music in western civilization. Although there are many excellent books on music history, until now no single source has systematically presented concise information on theory, notation, style, composers, instruments, and terminology, incorporating findings from primary sources and the results of subsequent scholarly research.

The present volume contains material concerning the background, philosophy, theory, notation, style, manuscript sources, theoretical sources, classes of music, composers, and instruments of the period from 1425 to 1520, the first part of the Renaissance. At the end of each section there are maps that show pertinent empires, kingdoms, and places of interest. The appendices cover mannered notation, intonation and temperament, and opinions from other sources that differ from those cited in the text. This book consults all types of sources to cover as many important facts as possible, and presents those facts in an organized manner. Thus, a vast amount of data is digested for ready access, and further information may be obtained from the sources noted. As a convenience to researchers, each line of the outline is documented. Technical terms, foreign words, foreign titles, and the names of persons are found in Definition and Pronounciation in the back of the volume. Like its predecessor, Music History from the Late Roman Through the Gothic Periods, 313-1425, this volume will be an essential acquisition for the serious music historian and librarian.

BLANCHE M. GANGWERE has worked as a high school music teacher, church organist, and choir director. She is the author of Music History from the Late Roman Through the Gothic Periods, 313-1425 (Greenwood Press, 1986).