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What is the word/adjective that could describe music pieces similar to Allegri's "Miserere" or Henry Ley's "A Prayer of King Henry VI"?

This music appears to be be sung a capella, with a four-voice choir. (The word I am looking for would be a substitute for gregorian in the sentence: "I really like [gregorian] music!")

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In describing the epoch, you would speak of Renaissance music. Describing the form you would speak of a motet, which implies music sung a capella or just with instruments doubling the human voices.

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  • I think that motet is the noun I was looking for. Thank you! – ebosi Oct 12 '18 at 8:00
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Renaissance polyphony is a term often used for this, which neatly encompasses both the period and the form.

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I'm aware of the terms church music or religious music, since mass seems too specific. No term restricting this to a cappella comes to mind and since your examples span some centuries, an epoch-denoting term like Gregorian is not appropriate.

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  • BTW the term is "a cappella" with two p's. (Even though there's only one in "chapel".) – Rosie F Oct 11 '18 at 7:02
  • @RosieF: Thank you for the hint, which I considered; in German the Italian term is valid with an explanation like "also, at least historic: capella". – guidot Oct 11 '18 at 7:11

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