Music for Chamber and Church in the Early Seventeenth Century

8 important questions on Music for Chamber and Church in the Early Seventeenth Century

What 3 developments in Italy in the early 17th century held particular significance for the future of music?

1. Concertato works
2. Basso ostinato
3. Cantata

What type of genre arose in the mid 16th century (means "to be sung")?

Cantata

What is the difference between oratorio and opera?

Oratorio have religious subject matter, are seldom if ever staged, and action is described or suggested rather than played out.
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List 4 of the most prominent cantata composers of the 17th century

Luigi Rossi
Antonio Cesti
Giacomo Carissimi
Barbara Strozzi

Gradus ad Parnassum

"Steps to Parnassus" 1725. Treatise by Johann Joseph Fux which codified the neo-Palestrina counterpoint of the time. Was a textbook for counterpoint for the next 200 years

Small sacred concerto

These were for solo singers with two violins and organ.

Hashirim asher lish 'lomo

"Songs of Solomon" - The first book of Jewish polyphonic liturgical music; 33 psalms, hymns, and synagogue songs composed by Salamone Rossi. Title is pun on his first name.

4 major Impacts of Early-Seventeenth-Century Music for Church and Chamber


Synthesized prior sixteenth-century traditions.

Intensified the idea of distinct music styles for different venues and purposes

Genres developed or codified in this era remained for the next hundred years.

Composers continued to study the music of this era, even after it was no longer being played.

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