450-1600
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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)
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Throughout the period the clergy complained
about the noisy instruments
Instruments were also the source of conflict
between composers
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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
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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
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A.
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
Lowest in social level with prostitutes and
slaves, but important source for information
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Medieval dance and one of the earliest forms
of instrumental music (Listen) 1,52
Instruments:
Rebec- bowed string instrument
Pipe- tubular wind instrument
Psaltery- plucked or struck string instrument
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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.
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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
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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
1450-1600
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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
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Italy- leading music center in the 16th century
Others- Germany, England, and Spain
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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)
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Mostly polyphonic
Renaissance music sounds fuller than medieval
music (bass register was used for the first
time)= richer harmonies
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Unaccompanied choral music- a cappella
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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
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Master of Renaissance music
Compositions include masses, motets, and
secular vocal pieces
Ex. Ave Maria…Virgo Serena 1475 (Listen)
1,56
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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
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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
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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
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Recorders
Shawms
Cornetts
Sackbuts
Lutes
Violas
Organs
Regals
Harpsichords