The Renaissance: New Harmonies, New Horizons

The Burgundian Influence

The 15th century saw the rise of the Burgundian School, centered in the prosperous courts of Burgundy (which included much of modern-day Belgium and northeastern France). Composers like Guillaume Dufay (c. 1397-1474) and Gilles Binchois (c. 1400-1460) created a new international style, blending French, Italian, and English influences.

Their music featured: - Smoother melodic lines - Fuller harmonies using thirds and sixths - More complex rhythmic patterns - Secular songs with refined, courtly texts

The Rise of the Chanson

The Renaissance chanson emerged as a distinct genre, different from its medieval predecessor. These polyphonic songs, usually for three or four voices, dealt with various themes—love, nature, humor, and even bawdy subjects.

Clément Janequin (c. 1485-1558) revolutionized the chanson with his programmatic pieces: - "Le Chant des Oiseaux" (The Song of the Birds) imitates various birdsongs - "La Guerre" (The War) recreates the sounds of battle—clashing swords, cannon fire, and soldiers' cries - "Les Cris de Paris" (The Cries of Paris) captures street vendors' calls

These pieces weren't just entertainment; they were sonic photographs of 16th-century French life.

The French Renaissance Style

French Renaissance music developed distinctive characteristics: - Lighter textures compared to the dense polyphony of the Franco-Flemish school - Homophonic passages where all voices move together - Word painting—music that illustrates textual imagery - Dance rhythms reflecting the popularity of court dancing

Composers like Pierre Attaingnant (c. 1494-1551), a Parisian music printer, published numerous collections that spread this style throughout France and beyond. His dance collections preserve the pavanes, galliards, and branles that filled Renaissance ballrooms.