Final answer:
Monteverdi's madrigal Ecco mormorar l'onde is characterized by the use of word-painting, where the music reflects the literal meaning of the lyrics. It demonstrates the transition from Renaissance to early Baroque musical styles and utilizes expressive melodies and harmonies rather than being atonal, homophonic, or strictly counterpoint.
Step-by-step explanation:
The madrigal Ecco mormorar l'onde by Claudio Monteverdi is characterized by the use of word-painting. Word-painting is a musical technique where the music reflects the literal meaning of the lyrics. This can involve the direction of the melody, rhythm, harmony, or other musical elements. In the case of Monteverdi's Ecco mormorar l'onde, the rippling effect created by the music is meant to mimic the sound and movement of waves, as suggested by the text.
Monteverdi was known for advancing the musical practices of the Renaissance into the early Baroque, and his madrigals often illustrate this transition. While earlier Renaissance music emphasized modal harmony and smoother polyphonic textures, Monteverdi introduced more dramatic contrasts, expressive melodies, and harmonic progressions that anticipated the functional tonality of the Baroque period.
It is important to note that Ecco mormorar l'onde is not atonal; 'atonal harmony' would not be a characteristic of this piece, as atonality did not emerge until the 20th century. Additionally, the terms 'homophonic texture' and 'strict counterpoint' do not specifically describe the distinctive feature of Monteverdi's madrigal, which is primarily known for its illustrative use of word-painting.