LIFE
-c 1525-1594
-known as the 'prince of music'
-born near Rome in the town of Palestrina
-choirboy and organist, educated in Rome
-deeply religious person and composer sought to compose following ideals of Counter Reformation
-1544 choirmaster in Palestrina
-1551 choirmaster at St. Peter's cathedral (Vatican) in Rome
-1554 published first book of masses
-1565-71 teacher at Jesuit seminary in Rome
-1571 returned to St. Peter's and Sistine Chapel (Vatican)
-supervised revision of liturgy books following council of Trent and counter-reformation
-known as the 'prince of music'
-born near Rome in the town of Palestrina
-choirboy and organist, educated in Rome
-deeply religious person and composer sought to compose following ideals of Counter Reformation
-1544 choirmaster in Palestrina
-1551 choirmaster at St. Peter's cathedral (Vatican) in Rome
-1554 published first book of masses
-1565-71 teacher at Jesuit seminary in Rome
-1571 returned to St. Peter's and Sistine Chapel (Vatican)
-supervised revision of liturgy books following council of Trent and counter-reformation
STYLE
-wrote almost exclusively for Catholic church, exemplified council of Trent requirements
-flowing melodic lines, balanced dissonance (on weak beats) always resolving
-structured, serene, clear presentation of text
-a cappella vocal polyphony balanced with homophonic texture
-individual vocal lines clear and simple (mainly stepwise movement)
-style/ model of Renaissance polyphony still used in 16th century counterpoint study
-flowing melodic lines, balanced dissonance (on weak beats) always resolving
-structured, serene, clear presentation of text
-a cappella vocal polyphony balanced with homophonic texture
-individual vocal lines clear and simple (mainly stepwise movement)
-style/ model of Renaissance polyphony still used in 16th century counterpoint study
WORKS
-over 100 masses
-250 motets
-other liturgical works (hymns)
-150 madrigals (later apologized to church for writing secular madrigals in his youth)
-250 motets
-other liturgical works (hymns)
-150 madrigals (later apologized to church for writing secular madrigals in his youth)