Sixteenth-century music

Sixteenth-century music, primarily during the Renaissance, saw a shift towards more expressive and intricate compositions. This era emphasized harmony, using multiple vocal lines that created richer textures—a style known as polyphony. Composers like Josquin des Prez and Palestrina led this innovation, blending sacred and secular themes. Notation improved, allowing for more complex rhythms and broader distribution of music. Instruments like the lute and viol became popular, complementing vocal music. Overall, this period laid the groundwork for future Western classical music, characterized by its emotional depth and structural complexity.