38 - Instrumental music in the fifteenth century

Summary

Instrumental music was considered an essential ingredient in almost all ceremonies and celebrations. Banquets, processions, weddings, dances, and so forth all demanded the presence of instruments. This chapter discusses two main goals. The first goal is to trace the very rapid evolution of instrumental music as a reflection of the general drive for innovation of the time. The second goal is to convey some of the role instruments played in contemporary artistic life. Soft instruments could be combined in a great variety of ways, though 1400 the fiddle was the preeminent member of the group. The players of these instruments were both soloists and ensemble musicians. Between 1440-1480, instrument makers seem to have focused most of their attention on improvements to existing instruments. At mid-century the impulse for innovation was perhaps reflected most powerfully in the areas of repertory and performance practice.