What aspect of music was greatly emphasized by composers in the second half of the Renaissance?

The emphasis on the development of major/minor tonalities in the second half of the Renaissance reflects a significant evolution in Western music theory and composition. During this period, composers began transitioning from the predominantly modal system that characterized earlier music, where scales were based on modes (such as Dorian or Mixolydian), to a greater focus on a dual system of major and minor keys.

This shift laid the groundwork for the tonal framework that became central to music in the Baroque era and beyond. Composers explored the relationships between chords and keys, creating more structured harmonic progressions that provided a sense of tension and resolution, which was pivotal in engaging listeners. Furthermore, the establishment of major and minor tonalities introduced a clearer hierarchy within musical pieces, allowing for more sophisticated development of themes and motives.

In contrast, while modal harmony was prevalent in earlier Renaissance music, its significance diminished as major/minor tonalities gained prominence. Improvisational elements, though valued, did not define this period as strongly as the emerging tonal framework. Likewise, static drone accompaniments were common in various musical traditions but did not reflect the key developments that composers were making during this transformative period in music history.