A_cappella

The polyphony of Christian a cappella music began to develop in Europe around the late 15th century, with compositions by Josquin des Prez. The early a cappella polyphonies may have had an accompanying instrument, although this instrument would merely double the singers' parts and was not independent. By the 16th century, a cappella polyphony had further developed, but gradually, the cantata began to take the place of a cappella forms. 16th century a cappella polyphony, nonetheless, continued to influence church composers throughout this period and to the present day. Recent evidence has shown that some of the early pieces by Palestrina, such as what was written for the Sistine Chapel was intended to be accompanied by an organ "doubling" some or all of the voices. Such is seen in the life of Palestrina becoming a major influence on Bach, most notably in the aforementioned Mass in B Minor. Other composers that utilized the a cappella style, if only for the occasional piece, were Claudio Monteverdi and his masterpiece, Lagrime d'amante al sepolcro dell'amata (A lover's tears at his beloved's grave), which was composed in 1610, and Andrea Gabrieli when upon his death it was discovered many choral pieces, one of which was in the unaccompanied style. Learning from the preceding two composeres, Heinrich Schütz utilized the a cappella style in numerous pieces, chief among these were the pieces in the oratorio style, which were traditionally performed during the Easter week and dealt with the religious subject matter of that week, such as Christ's suffering and the Passion. Five of Schutz's Historien were Easter pieces, and of these the latter three, which dealt with the passion from three different viewpoints, those of Matthew, Luke and John, were all done a cappella style. This was a near requirement for this type of piece, and the parts of the crowd were sung while the solo parts which were the quoted parts from either Christ or the authors were performed in a plainchant.

Question: Who was a known composer of A cappella music in the 15th century?
Answer: Josquin des Prez

Question: Bach was influenced by a popular A cappella composer heavily for what composition?
Answer: Mass in B Minor

Question: How many of Schutz's Easter pieces were in the A cappella style?
Answer: three

Question: Lagrime d'amante al sepolcro dell'amata's well known A cappella composition was written in what year?
Answer: 1610

Question: Some compositions were found after which composer's death?
Answer: Andrea Gabrieli

Question: What began to develop in Europe during the 1500"s

Question: Who's compositions marked the begining of secular a cappella music

Question: What did the a cappella form take the place of during the 16th century?

Question: What piece was heavily influenced by Bach's Mass in B MInor?

Question: What accompanied the voices in Palestrina?

Question: What happened to Christian music in Europe the 16th Century?

Question: How was the early piece by Josquin des Prez intended to be played?

Question: What composer was Josquin des Prez a major influence on?

Question: When was Bach's Mass in B Minor composed?

Question: How were the pieces written by Josquin des Prez performed during Easter week?