Final answer:
The question refers to the Renaissance practice of arranging music by various composers in cycles for church feast days, particularly masses and motets. This period was marked by the development of polyphony and the rise of the madrigal, and was greatly influenced by the widespread dissemination of music enabled by the Gutenberg press.
Step-by-step explanation:
The collection of musical works created by various composers, arranged in cycles to provide music for all the feast days of the Church calendar, represents a significant practice during the Renaissance period. Principal liturgical forms such as masses and motets were central to this tradition, enduring throughout the era. Secular forms like madrigals and chansons were also incorporated into sacred music by composers seeking to expand their expressive palette.
During the Renaissance, there was a pronounced development in sacred music that coincided with the rise of polyphony, leading to the use of larger ensembles and the blend of various instruments across the vocal range. This period also saw the rise of the madrigal, which influenced the creation of canons, and these pieces were often featured in the music programs of the churches, together with liturgical forms.
The distribution and demand for music increased significantly due to the invention of the Gutenberg press, which allowed music and musical theory to be disseminated widely. This period also experienced a union of polyphonic practice and the flourishing of music education, which together contributed to the creation of hundreds of capable singers and composers, especially in the Low Countries. Eventually, Italian cities such as Venice and Rome became central hubs of musical activity by the end of the sixteenth century.