Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was an Italian composer of the Renaissance, known for his sacred music. He lived from 1525 to 1594 and is often regarded as the master of polyphony, a style that involves multiple independent melodies sung simultaneously. His compositions, particularly his masses and motets, are characterized by clarity of text and smooth melodic lines, making them highly influential in the development of Western choral music. Palestrina's work played a significant role in the Catholic Church's response to the Counter-Reformation, as his music was seen as a model for liturgical composition. His style emphasized the importance of text expression and balance, which helped to shape the future of choral music. Today, Palestrina's compositions are still performed and studied, reflecting his lasting impact on the music world.