Classical: Renaissance Period

The Renaissance (1450-1600) was a time of innovation and discovery. While Galileo busied himself with the choreography of the solar system, Palestrina, Monteverdi, and their contemporaries began to unravel the mysteries of harmony. Allegri became the first one-hit wonder with his stunning "Miserere" and Gabrieli invented the concept of loud with his "Sonata Pian' e forte."

The church music of the Renaissance is all about smooth a cappella vocals. The instrumental music, however, was rather less refined. Instruments like the shawm and cornett (forerunners of the modern oboe and trumpet) had not yet progressed beyond the screeching and honking phase of their development.

The Renaissance was, obviously, a very long time ago, and while a great deal of music was written during this period, much of it has disappeared in the mists of time. Consequently, the study of early music is part archaeology, and "lost" manuscripts are still being unearthed today.

The Renaissance takes its name from the French word for rebirth. Europe emerged from the Dark Ages with a newfound thirst for knowledge and exploration. Simultaneously, developments in musical notation allowed composers unprecedented freedom for creativity.