Elizabethan Music

The rich could afford complex, sophisticated music. An example of this is Court Music. The members of Queen Elizabeth’s court were required to have some kind of musical skill.. She employed at least 70 musicians and singers. However, appreciation of more intellectual music was not exclusive to the Court. Every nobleman had in his employment at least one musician. These musicians would play for them at dinner. Even most middle class households hired a servant who could play an instrument or sing. Every person of the upper or middle classes was expected to have the ability to play an instrument, and sight-read music. Music was an important part of the life of a noble.

There was also the music of the common folk. Their songs were less sophisticated, more fun, and unrestrained. In the medieval era, there were plenty of traveling musicians. By the Renaissance Period, the Bubonic Plague had killed the age of traveling minstrels and troubadours, and they were replaced by street, tavern, and theatre musicians. Street music was performed at fairs (whose dates were dictated by saint days, religious festivals, etc.) as well as at weekly markets. The music that the street musicians played was predominantly popular traditional songs and ballads, very different from the sophisticated Elizabethan Court Music. In the larger towns there were a group of official town musicians called the “Waits”. They were originally given high-pitched pipes and hautboys to sound alarms, but it eventually evolved into a form of entertainment, and they were expected to compose and perform music for all major town functions. The music of the low-class was fun, and brought joy and laughter to people who had none. Whether sophisticated or silly, music was a significant part of the lives of all Elizabethans. The huge differences in the economy were a leading factor in the differences in culture, music, and life.

Conclusion

Music in the Elizabethan era is often regarded as progressive and beautiful by musicians, composers and listeners alike. The styles of music matured immensely throughout the end of the Renaissance period, and the popularity of music expanded beyond the regimented hymnals of medieval origin. Musicians became prominent as composers became more skilful at creating intricate and exquisite pieces of music with increasingly complex instruments. The uses of music beyond the walls of the Protestant church were gaining status as the Court, the noble and wealthy citizens, and even the lower-class peoples in Elizabethan England acquired large appreciations for the beauty of melody, rhythm and lyric. Music was a wonderful part of Elizabethan culture, and played an instrumental role in the Renaissance and the many artistic eras to follow.