Renaissance Period Music 1420-1650
Welcome to DrDunc Renaissance
 

 
On DrDunc Renaissance are samples of music from the 15th to 17th century representing the Renaissance period in music.  Each country at the time presented distinct stylings of this period music.  Selections are from the English, French, Italian, and Spanish Renaissance. 
Music plays as AAC.

The page follows the same general style as my other music pages - Russian and Andean/Latin America.  Most of the music is from rare out-of-print vinyl LPs. CD reissues are noted if available. 


NEWEST:

Oy Comamos y Bebamos - Capella de la Torre

La Tarantella - Cristoforo Caresana - L'Arpeggiata

Gaudete - King's Singers

Tarantelle - Marco Beasley/Accordone perform

La musica nelle strade - Marco Beasley/Accordone perform

Aria - Francesco Cavalli

Canorio - Lorenzo Allegri

Do Not Wear Black Buskins - Anonymous - La Compania (Australia)

La Mantovana (Renaissance dance) - John Playford (1623-1686) - Les Witches (performing group) 

Cavalca el Conte Guido - Antonio Caprioli

Todos los bienes - Villancico by Juan del Encina (1469-1529) - Joculatores Upsalienses (performing group)

Dindirin -  Anonymous c. 1500 - Joculatores Upsalienses (performing group)

Now O Now - Frog's Galliard by John Dowland performed on a Final Master Recital June 24, 2014. Singing: Johanna Földesi, Emese Gyöngyvér Tóth, Esther Kronenburg, Dóra Sereginé Németh, Jan Janovcik, Bram Trouwborst and Karel Barten. Jasper Michels, lute. Lyrics

Now O Now - From Miklós Rózsa soundtrack for film "Julius Caesar"

Flemish song - unknown Renaissance period composer


PERU ~
Hanacpachap cussicuinin - Thought to be the first multi-voiced music composed in the New World, this simple but intriguing piece is found in a collection of sacred music compiled in 1631, but was likely written some years earlier...More info  Lyrics  San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble

La púrpura de la rosa (The Blood of the Rose) - First staged in 1659 in Peru, this is the New World's first known opera composition. The brief clip is from the music by Torrejón y Velasco.  More info about this early opera is available by searching on the Internet.  There are occasional contemporary performances. CD  More info
Song "En Los Montes"  from early opera La púrpura de la rosa

ENGLISH ~
Sweet Kate - Robert Jones - 1577-1615. This is a period "hit song" of which there are jillions of interpretations. This is my favorite version.  See what you think.  Lyrics


Pastime with Good Company - New World Renaissance Band with Owain Phyfe History and lyrics CD

Though Philomela Lost Her Love - Thomas Morley (1557-1603) - The Renaissance Quartet/Project 3 PR 7000SD

A Robyn, Gentil Robyn - William Cornysh (Died 1523)  The Renaissance Quartet

Farewell, Dear Love - Robert Jones (16th century)  The Renaissance Quartet

Remember, O Thou Man - Thomas Ravenscroft (1592-1635)  The Renaissance Quartet

O Mistresse Mine - Thomas Morley (1557-1603)  The Renaissance Quartet

Chants of Sarum - A collaboration between harpsichordist Mary Jane Newman and the choral group Parthenia VII. Attempts to recreate the Use of Sarum, a semi-independent medieval liturgy that developed out of the Church of Salisbury (Sarum to the ancient Celts and Romans) and spread across Catholic churches in the British Isles until the time of Henry VIII. This pretty sample is entitled "Jesu, Son of Mary". CD
The Cut-Purse - a tune about Elizabethan pickpockets ("cutpurse"), a plague of the day - Toronto Consort

Witches' Dance - Anonymous -The Renaissance Quartet/Project 3 PR 7000SD

Tickle my Toe - 16th century English Renaissance dance tune

To Drive the Cold Winter Away -  c.1625  Owain Phyfe live with friends  CD

We Be Soliders Three - Owain Phyfe live - from Thomas Ravenscroft 'Deuteromelia' (1609)

Cold and Raw
- The Baltimore Consort Dorian 90155

Gloucestershire Wassail - Traditional - Lyrics and notation
Waverly Consort (Virgin Classics 55193)

MADRIGALS

Sing we And Chant It
- Shall I Sue All Creatures Now

Say, Love - Hark All Ye Lovely Saints -
Rest, Sweet Nymphs
All madrigals above from Nonesuch H-71097 collection

FRENCH ~
INSTRUMENTALS
Gavotte from Atys - Jean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687)
Lamoureux Orchestra and Wind Ensemble/Armand Birbaum
Philips PHC9036

L'arboscello ballo furlano - Pierre Phalèse (1510-1573)

Branle - Claude Gervaise (16th century)
Two pieces above are from RCA Victrola VICS-1328

Branle de montirandé - Antoine Francisque (1570-1605)
Rafael Puyana/(CD)

Branle de montirandé  harp (unknown)
Branle de montirandé  organ (André Isoir)
Branle de montirandé  lute (James Edwards)
This little piece by Antoine Francisque (1570-1605) is already above on harpsichord, but here are transcriptions for other instruments.

Louis-Claude Daquin short pieces performed by Anthony Newman - purists would note that Daquin is just outside the Renaissance period, but I include his delightful music anyway

Noel 6 -- Noel 12 -- Noel 8 -- Noel 1

Plein jeu - Louis-Nicolas Clérambault - Pierre Froidebise, organ (Nonesuch H-71020)

Plein jeu - Louis Marchand - Pierre Froidebise, organ (Nonesuch H-71020)

Short Lute Piece - recorded 1972 - Quattuor Testudinis ("Four Lutes")

SONGS
Belle Qui Tiens Ma Vie - pavane by French composer Thoinot Arbeau (1519-1595). Another period "hit" with many interpretations. My favorite version. Lyrics

Que dises, mei bon fraire - 16th century song from French Provence/Terra Nova Consort (Dorian 90269)

J'ai vu le loup (I Saw the Wolf) - Baltimore Consort Dorian 90177

Branle gai - The wind instrument is a shawm.  Pierre Attaingnant (circa 1494 - 1551)
Lawrence-King, Harp Consort CD

O l'heureuse journée - Anonymous carol from Avignon, France c. 1600
Boston Camerata
CD

ITALIAN ~
Ayo visto lo mappamundi - Italian Renaissance, Waverly Consort CD
("I've seen the map of the world") The tune is pretty. It was inspired by the explorer voyages of the 15th century, which had sad dire consequences for indigenous populations of the day.


INSTRUMENTAL

Dance from the Courts of Mantua and Ferrara - anonymous

La frescobalda - Pavana alla veneziana - Gagliarda

Virginal soloist Blanche Winogron/Counterpoint 5516
An Italian Rant - Baltimore Consort Dorian 90238

Tarantelle Napoletane Tradizionali - Marco Beasley, tenor - an Italian tarantella, a dance form dating back as far as 1100.  Marco Beasley is a wonderfully entertaining vocalist.  His group is Accordone

SPANISH ~
Nashville Early Music Ensemble - NEME

Oy comamos y bebamos - Juan del Encina - lively and fun (see more versions below)

Gaudete  --  Fum Fum Fum  --  
Con el vito


Oy comamos y bebamos - Juan del Encina - lively and fun - Renaissance band and singers

Oy comamos y bebamos - Juan del Encina - same piece as above - 
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet


Rodrigo Martinez - Anonymous 15th Century - Spanish Renaissance Kings Singers  Lyrics

Rodrigo Martinez - anonymous - Atrium Musicae de Madrid

Rodrigo Martinez Villancico from Cancionero de Palacio - Anonymous 15th Century
from CD "Hermes Invention" Ensemble La Volta  
Lyrics

Folia - an early Folia (improvisational method with a simple melody in minor key)

Yo soy la locura - Henri de Bailly - French passacaglia style but sung in Spanish

La Tarantela -
Atrium Musicae de Madrid


VILLANCICOS
E la don don - The Renaissance Quartet/Project 3 PR 7000SD

Vésame y abràcame - New York ProMusica/Decca DL9409
----------------------------
Riu chiu is a 16th century Spanish villancico (carol) arranged in a South American folkloric style. Here are 7 versions of it. Like to sing along?? Here are the lyrics.

Ríu chíu - Nashville Early Music Ensemble - NEME

Ríu chíu - Cuarteto Zupay

Ríu chíu - Chanticleer

Ríu chíu - The Monkees with Chip Davis (performed in their Christmas 1967 episode)

Ríu chíu - The Monkees with Davy

Ríu chíu - Eric Tingstad

Ríu chíu - Unknown Instumental


HARP
Hachas  -  Popular Variations  -  Villancete  -  Seguidilla  -
 Huete
Nicanor Zabaleta, soloist/Counterpoint 509 and 5542

Marionas  -  Tarantela - Luz y Norte/Lucas Ribavaz (CD)
OLD FOLK SONGS

A la nanita  -  La magarideta  -  El pobre alegre
Madrigal Chorus of Madrid/Odyssey 32160148

OTHER THINGS ~

Can't Help Falling In Love With You - a 1986 celtic rock take on the Elvis standard - Lick the Tins

Farewell to Nova Scotia - The Buccaneers


Comments to     
       Jim

 

DrDunc Renaissance at


See also:
+ Boleadora - music of the Andes
+ Richka - folk music and dance from Russia and other northern regions

©1995-2021 Ostenta Fine Arts. This site began operating on November 13 2001 and was created in Santa Cruz, California, USA