Some general observations on Mass composition in the Renaissance

As seen in the six Masses studied in this paper, the composition of a Mass presented a Renaissance composer with both problems and opportunities. Some of the problems encountered, as we have seen, were the clear declamation of the text, effective word-setting, the achievement of contrast and variety throught hte use of many devices, and an efffective means of unifying the work as a whole. The Mass cycle, in addition to enjoying veneration as a tradition, and depsite the problems which it held for a composer, offered him the chance to express himself and demonstrate his mastery of musical skills and techniques. It was, therefore, both the problems and the opportunities of Mass composition, and the fulfillment of a need for this type of music, that made the genre so popular during the Renaissance period