Late Renaissance music

voices tend to be spread out evenly close in range and often overlap in range (crossing voices)

mainly polyphony

voices usually equal in activity and importance

imitation used a lot

some homophony

usually modal

forward motion created by polyphony

little chromatic motion

some cross relations

restrained dissonance, suspensions only sustained dissonance, appogiaturas very rare

very vocal

mainly diatonic

phrase shapes carefully balanced

melodic description of melencholy- general direction of melody descending- is a common feature of many renaissance pieces,

gradual changes in rythms

voice and instrument parts often interchangable

organs, lutes and harps used as accompaniants

usually constant tempo

often through composed

little or no ornamentation

often very religious

usually in latin, or if protestand music in english or german

cadences are common feature of renaissance period