Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 - 1594) is considered the ultimate master of Renaissance vocal polyphony.  There is a false legend that his mass Missa Papae Marcelli (Pope Marcellus Mass), saved the polyphonic mass from possible a possible ban (the lyrics of polyphonic masses were difficult to understand) at the Council of Trent (1563) because the lyrics could be easily understood.  Nonetheless, his masses remained influential, one even influencing J.S. Bach's Mass in B minor. 

The third and closing sessions of the Council of Trent were held in 1562–63, at which the use of polyphonic music in the Catholic Church was discussed.  Concerns were raised over two problems:   first, the use of music that was objectionable, such as secular songs provided with religious lyrics (contrafacta) or masses based on songs with lyrics about drinking or lovemaking; and second, whether imitation in polyphonic music obscured the words of the mass, interfering with the listener's devotion. Some debate occurred over whether polyphony should be banned outright in worship, and some of the auxiliary publications by attendants of the Council caution against both of these problems.  However, none of the official proclamations from the Council mentions polyphonic music, excepting one injunction against the use of music that is, in the words of the Council, "lascivious or impure"

One of the hallmarks of Palestrina's music is that dissonances are typically relegated to the "weak" beats in a measure. This produced a smoother and more consonant type of polyphony which is now considered to be definitive of late Renaissance music.


Missa Papae Marcelli  (Pope Marcellus Mass)  (1562?)
Youtube: Complete studio recording (31:00) 

           Kylie  ("Lord, have mercy on us")  (3:30)
     Gloria  ("Glory to God in the Highest")  (5:00)

Sicut cirvus -  with video of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.  (2:40)