A usually unaccompanied song in usally 4-6 parts. Originating in Italy during the late Renaissance it quickly spread throughout Europe and hugely influenced European song writing of the time. The lyrics are usually a love poem, often a sonnet, although themes include death, war, religious texts (a subcategory) and pastoral verse. It uses word paining, close harmony and novel phrases such as the now cliched 'burning cold' to describe a lover's kiss.
Back to the list of words starting with a M