Medieval Music
200 – 1400 AD
Historical Events/General
Facts
• Civilizations become more distinct
• 1203 – Genghis Khan begins
conquering and pillaging
• 1209 – St. Francis of Assisi forms
order of brotherhood
• 1271 – Marco Polo begins journey
to the Orient
Historical Events/General
Facts
• 1337 – Beginning of the 100 yr.
war b/w France and England
• 1347- Black Death, 75 million
people die (1/3 of the world)
• 1364 – Aztecs build capital city
of Tenochtitlan
Music Facts
• We begin to divide into different
styles of music according to
region
• Western music (European)
develops around 300 AD
• The music of the Roman church
becomes the basis for Western
music
Chant
• 600 AD Pope Gregory I collected
chants and arranged them in the
order they are sung today
• also called plainchant
• notated by Guido d’Arezzo (also
created solfege) - staff had 4 lines
and square notes
Chant
• a cappella and unison
• sung in Latin, text from Bible
• no printing press, 1 large song
book for everyone
• 900 AD Music became more
elaborate and 2 parts develop
Sacred vs. Secular
• Common themes in secular
music
• a. emotions – love
• b. daily life – farming
Sacred vs. Secular
• How music was used
• a. to express emotions
• b. for entertainment
• c. to praise God
Composers
• Anonymous
• Perotin
• Leonin
Guillaume de Machaut
• Known as the master of music of his
time
• He composed music with great variety
of style and form to be heard by very
important people (royalty).
• Composed the first polyphonic (many
voices) music of the Mass.
• Composed secular love songs
Use of Instruments
• to imitate voices (sacred)
• used for dances (secular)
Instruments
• lutes – early guitars
• harps
• strings (cellos, violin)
• recorders
• dulcimer