MIDDLE AGES

450-1600

Introduction

Most important musicians were priests that worked for the church

Boys received music education in schools, while girls were not allowed to sing in church but did make music in convents

Most medieval music was vocal; instruments were used but were frowned on by the church

After 1100, instruments were increasing in the church; the organ was most used

(Could be heard for miles)

Cont’d…

Throughout the period the clergy complained about the noisy instruments

Instruments were also the source of conflict between composers

Gregorian Chant

Official music of the Roman Catholic church for 1000 years

Melody set to sacred Latin texts and sung without accompaniment

Meant to emphasize specific parts of the religious service

Named after Pope Gregory I (the Great) Most of the several thousand melodies known

today were created between 600-1300 Most of the composers of these chants

remain almost completely unknown

Church Modes

Scales that consist of seven different tones and an 8th tone that duplicates the 1st an octave higher

Used in secular and sacred music Alleluia: Vidimus Stellam (Listen) 1,48

Secular Music

Music outside of the church French nobles called troubadours and

trouveres Knights also gained reputations as musical

poets Love songs, crusades, dance songs, spinning Wandering minstrels- performed music and

acrobatics in castles, taverns, and town squares

A. Lowest in social level with prostitutes and slaves, but important source for information

Estampie

Medieval dance and one of the earliest forms of instrumental music (Listen) 1,52

Instruments:1. Rebec- bowed string instrument2. Pipe- tubular wind instrument3. Psaltery- plucked or struck string

instrument

The Development of Polyphony

700-900 first steps were taken that eventually transformed western music

Monks began to add a second melodic line to the Gregorian chants

Improvised in the beginning (not written down)

Medieval music consisting of a Gregorian chant and 1 or more additional melodic lines is called organum.

14th Century: “New Art” in France

Hundred Years War Plaque (black death) Weakening of the Catholic church Secular music became more important

than sacred music New system of music notation had

evolved, composers could specify almost any rhythmic pattern

Syncopation- rarely used before but very popular during this time

Guillaume de Machaut

Both a musician and a poet Known for the Notre Dame Mass – one of

the finest compositions known from the Middle Ages

The first polyphonic treatment of the mass ordinary by a known composer

Mass ordinary- 5 sung prayers that remained the same from day to day throughout the church year

Listen (Agnus Dei) 1,53

RENAISSANCE1450-1600

Overview

In keeping with the ideals of the era, every educated person was expected to be trained in music.

Women were mostly virtuoso singers during this time especially in Italy in the late Renaissance

Virtuoso- performing artist of extraordinary technical mastery

Musicians during the Renaissance enjoyed higher pay and status

Composers also wanted to be known and given credit for their work

Leading Countries

Italy- leading music center in the 16th century

Others- Germany, England, and Spain

Words and Music

Middle Ages- vocal music more important Renaissance- composers wrote music to

enhance the meaning of the words Word painting- musical representation of

specific poetic images Ex. Descending from heaven (descending

melodic line), running (series of rapid notes)

Texture

Mostly polyphonic Renaissance music sounds fuller than

medieval music (bass register was used for the first time)= richer harmonies

Golden Age

Unaccompanied choral music- a cappella

Sacred Music in the Renaissance

2 main forms: Motet and mass Motet- polyphonic choral work set to

sacred Latin text (not ordinary mass) Mass- polyphonic choral composition

made up of 5 sections: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei

Josquin Des Prez

Master of Renaissance music Compositions include masses, motets,

and secular vocal pieces Ex. Ave Maria…Virgo Serena 1475

(Listen) 1,56

Secular Music in the Renaissance

Became increasingly popular Development of music printing helped

spread secular music and made thousands of songs available

Every educated person was expected to play an instrument and read music

Composers imitated natural sounds such as bird calls and street cries

More rapid shifts of mood than sacred music

Madrigals

A piece for several solo voices set to a short love poem

Thomas Weelkes- among the finest English madrigalists

Ex. As Vesta Was Descending (1601) written to honor Queen Elizabeth (Listen) 1,59

Instrumental Music

Popular instruments in the 1500’s: Harpsichord Organ Lute- versatile plucked string instrument

with the body in the shape of a pear 1600’s instrumental music was written

more for the instruments themselves and played for dancing and entertainment

Every educated person was also expected to be skilled in dance

Important Renaissance Instruments

Recorders Shawms Cornetts Sackbuts Lutes Violas Organs Regals Harpsichords

Recorder

Shawm

Cornett

Sackbut

Lute

Viola

Organ

Regal

Harpsicord