How was Palestrina's style notably different from that of Josquin?

Palestrina's style is indeed characterized by a significant focus on beauty and clarity, particularly in relation to the text being sung. His approach to vocal composition emphasized smooth, flowing lines and a balanced use of dissonance and consonance, which contributed to an overall aesthetic that was pleasing to the ear. Furthermore, Palestrina's skillful treatment of text setting allowed for enhanced comprehensibility, meaning the words were not only set to music but also highlighted within it, ensuring that the sacred texts were clearly understood by the listeners.

This emphasis on clarity and the expressiveness of the text contrasts with earlier compositional practices, such as those of Josquin, who, while also a master, explored more varied emotional and structural complexity in his music. Palestrina's adherence to the ideals of the Counter-Reformation, which aimed to make sacred music more accessible and meaningful to congregations, contributes to why option B is the most accurate representation of his style in comparison to Josquin.

The other options do not adequately capture key distinctions in Palestrina’s approach. For example, Palestrina’s style is often seen as more conservative rather than 'experimental and avant-garde,' and while he primarily wrote for vocal ensembles, he did not neglect instruments