Counterpoint Examples: 16th & 17th Centuries

Commonly referred to as “Modal Counterpoint,” these examples were written between 1500-1700. Works by Palestrina, de Lassus, Frescobaldi, Purcell, Corelli, and others are included.

Jacques Arcadelt (1507-1568)

Felice me, se de I bei un raggio (4-part Madrigal) [PDF]

William Byrd (1543-1623)

Benedictus from Mass for three Voyces (3-part Motet) [PDF]
Fantasia a 3 (3-part Instrumental Trio) [YouTube]

Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)

Trio Sonata Op. 4, No. 1 (2 Violins and Continuo) [PDF]

Louis Couperin (1626-1661)

Passacaille de Mr. Couperin (Harpsichord Variations) [PDF]

Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)

Canzon Terza (Keyboard) [PDF]
Fantasia Duodecima quattro soggetti (Keyboard) [PDF]

Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1613)

Canzon seconda a quattro (4-part Instrumental Canzona) [PDF] [YouTube]

Giovanni Gastoldi (1554-1609)

Bicinium (2-part Instrumental Duet) [PDF]

Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)

The Silver Swan (5-part Madrigal) [YouTube]

Orlande de Lassus (1532-1594)

Oculus non vidit (2-part motet) [PDF] [YouTube]
Fulgebunt justi sicut lilium (2-part motet) (PDF)

Thomas Morley (1557-1603)

I go before, my darling (2-part Canzona) [PDF]

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)

Jesu, rex admirabilis (3-part Motet) [PDF]
Missa Brevis Kyrie (4-part Motet) [YouTube]

Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

A Ground in Gamut (Harpsichord Variations) [PDF]

Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)

Kyrie from Missa O Magnum Mysterium (3-part Motet) [PDF]

Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623)

The nightingale, the organ of delight (3-part Canzonet) [YouTube]