| Description |
xii, 504 pages : illustrations, music ; 26 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 475-493) and index. |
| Contents |
Theory. Sources of information ; Principles of mensural notation ; Definitions and descriptions of tactus ; Tactus and rhythm ; Tactus and signs in fifteenth-century music theory ; Tactus and signs in sixteenth-century music theory ; Tactus and tempo -- Practice. The songs of Du Fay ; The L'homme armâe masses of Ockeghem, Busnoys, and Josquin ; The five- and six-voice motets of Josquin ; The Choralis Constantinus of Isaac ; The masses of Palestrina ; The madrigals of Rore ; Popular songs and dances. |
| Summary |
Ruth DeFord's book explores how tactus, mensuration, and rhythm were employed to articulate form and shape in the period from c.1420 to c.1600. Divided into two parts, the book examines the theory and practice of rhythm in relation to each other to offer new interpretations of the writings of Renaissance music theorists. In the first part, DeFord presents the theoretical evidence, introduces the manuscript sources and explains the contradictions and ambiguities in tactus theory. The second part uses theory to analyse some of the best known repertories of Renaissance music, including works by Du Fay, Ockeghem, Busnoys, Josquin, Isaac, Palestrina, and Rore, and to shed light on composers' formal and expressive uses of rhythm. DeFord's conclusions have important implications for our understanding of rhythm and for the analysis, editing, and performance of music during the Renaissance period [Publisher description] |
| Subject |
Musical meter and rhythm -- History -- 15th century.
|
|
Musical meter and rhythm. |
|
History. |
| Chronological Term |
15th century |
| Subject |
Musical meter and rhythm -- History -- 16th century.
|
| Chronological Term |
16th century |
| Subject |
Mensural notation.
|
|
Mensural notation. |
| Chronological Term |
1400-1599 |
| Genre/Form |
History.
|
| ISBN |
9781107064720 |
|
1107064724 |
|
9781316236734 (PDF ebook) |
| Standard No. |
9781107064720 |
|
