Guillame de Machaut – Messe de Notre Dame

This mass represents the first mass cycle conceived of as a whole work and written by one composer. This mass serves as an excellent contrast to the polyphonic motet of Machaut’s emphasized in the text. Also, this is an excellent opportunity to hear a composer write across genres and hear how a composer’s writing might change, or remain the same, between large and small works.

Thomas Tallis – O Sacrum Convivium

A Latin prose text addressing the Christian Eucharist is set here by a British composer known for writing both music for the Reformation-era Anglican service and for Catholic devotional services. Tallis served the court of Elizabeth I and this polyphonic setting provides an excellent contrast to the continental style of Josquin des Prez and the distinctly Italian late-Renaissance writing of Palestrina.

Archangelo Corelli – Concerto Grosso No. 4 in D Major

This concerto demonstrates the highly refined instrumental writing of Corelli and his devotion to instrumental virtuosity in the Baroque period. Much like the Brandenburg Concerto recommended in Chapter One, this work requires a sharp sense of expression and a mastery of the instruments involved. This work demonstrates the ritornello discussed in Chapter Two and contains extensive use of continuo throughout the work.