Contrast and Continuity: From the Renaissance to the Baroque

Reflecting on the Marian Consort’s programme on Monday 8 December, John Bryan, Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Huddersfield, explores the ‘Renaissance’ and ‘Baroque’ as contrasting, even opposing, musical styles. There are many new ideas in the music of the 17th and 18th centuries – particularly a love of drama – but the older concepts of beautifully evolving counterpoint and the influence of age-old plainsong never completely disappeared. Join us to hear how composers such as J. S. Bach paid tribute to their Renaissance predecessors, keeping older styles alive while adding their own characteristic hallmarks.