Final answer:
The Renaissance period in music occurred from around 1400 to 1600 and was influenced by humanistic thought, the recovery of ancient Greek and Roman art, and the Protestant Reformation. It was characterized by the use of modes, a richer texture, and a blending of musical strands. The invention of the printing press led to a greater demand for music and the dissemination of compositions across Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Renaissance period in music is generally considered to have taken place from around 1400 to 1600. It emerged about a hundred years after the beginning of the Renaissance in other disciplines. During this period, music was significantly influenced by the rise of humanistic thought, the recovery of ancient Greek and Roman literature and art, increased innovation, the growth of commercial enterprise, and the Protestant Reformation.
A notable characteristic of Renaissance music is the use of modes, a richer texture in four or more parts, and a blending rather than contrasting strands in the musical texture. Renaissance music also saw the increasing use of harmony with a greater concern for the flow and progression of chords.
The Renaissance period saw the invention of the Gutenberg press, which made the distribution of music and musical theory possible on a wide scale. This led to an increased demand for music as entertainment and as an activity for educated amateurs. The dissemination of chansons, motets, and masses throughout Europe coincided with the unification of polyphonic practice into a fluid style, culminating in the work of composers such as Palestrina, Lassus, Victoria, and William Byrd.