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Some General Observations On Mass Composition In The Renaissance, Charles Lathan Hill

Honors Theses

As seen in the six Masses studied in this paper, the composition of a Mass presented a Renaissance composer with both problems and opportunities. Some of the problems encountered, as we have seen, were the clear declamation of the text, effective word-setting, the achievement of contrast and variety throught hte use of many devices, and an efffective means of unifying the work as a whole. The Mass cycle, in addition to enjoying veneration as a tradition, and depsite the problems which it held for a composer, offered him the chance to express himself and demonstrate his mastery of musical skills …