Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Monteverdi is one of the best known transitional composers between Renaissance and Baroque music. Here’s a chance to compare Monteverdi’s two styles – which he termed the prima practica (the old style) and the seconda practica (the modern style).
Monteverdi was 37 when Palestrina, one of the last great Renaissance composers, died. If you’re not too distracted by the surroundings, listen to the Papal Choir singing the Kyrie from Palestrina’s Missa Papae Marcelli:
…and compare it with this Mass, written in his best Prima practica style, by Monteverdi:
1. Kyrie 00:05
2. Gloria 04:50
3. Credo 09:40
4. Sanctus 17:05
5. Benedictus 20:08
6. Agnus Dei 21:50
… and compare that with this setting of Psalm 112, a well-known example of the Seconda practica:
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The Art of Listening 