[+] Schubert, Peter, and Marcelle Lessoil-Daelman. “What Modular Analysis Can Tell Us About Musical Modeling in the Renaissance.” Music Theory Online 19 (March 2013). http://www.mtosmt.org/issues/mto.13.19.1/mot.13.19.1.schubert_lessoil-daelman.php (accessed April 1, 2013).
Many Renaissance composers borrowed musical materials in their compositions. In these cases, the borrowed material is often the first musical idea, offering the opportunity to reconstruct the compositional process. By using modular analysis, analysts can investigate areas where small-scale contrapuntal combinations repeat. Then, the composition can be retraced, informing the analyst on the compositional processes and goals of individual composers. To demonstrate the usefulness of this method of analysis, two Kyrie movements (one by Lassus and one by Palestrina) based on Johannes Lupi’s Je suys desheritée are compared. Lassus used the material to extend the length of the model by inserting new material. Palestrina, on the other hand, aimed for density by squeezing motives from the model together to create a thicker texture.
Works: Lassus: Missa Je suis desheritée; Palestrina: Missa Je suis déshéritée.
Sources: Johannes Lupi: Je suys desheritée.
Index Classifications: 1500s
Contributed by: Devin Chaloux
