The Medieval Period
of Western Music History
476 A.D. to circa 1400 A.D.
The word Medieval is derived from the Latin
word “medius” meaning “middle.”
The Medieval Period in Western history is also
known as the Middle Ages or also the Dark
Ages. It was a period in the history of Western
civilization when civilization broke down in
various ways and became quite primitive. The
cultural advances of ancient Greece and Rome
were essentially lost with the
Fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D.
As a result, Western civilization had to begin
again during the Medieval period.
Medieval Period of
Western History
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Lasted from about 476 A.D to 1400 A.D.
(different sources vary as to the exact dates)
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One of the 3 broad periods of Western history:
Classic / Medieval / Modern
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Founding of universities
Building of cathedrals and castles
Heidelberg Castle in Germany
Built in 1214 A.D.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France
Built 1163 – 1345 AD
Heidelberg Castle in Germany
Built in 1214 A.D.
A Medieval painting depicting angels stabbing dragons,
a common symbolic image in Medieval art.
Medieval painting depicting the victory of
Byzantine Emperor Heraclius over the Persians in 627 A.D.
Music of the Medieval Period:
Monody – Monophonic Music
(meaning “one sound”)
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Single line melodies with no accompaniment
Known as “chant,” “plainchant” or “plainsong”
Used as music for the early Christian church
Sung by monks practicing the “Divine Office” eight times
a day at the specific hours
Gregorian chant – a more uniform system of chant that
was developed under the reign of Pope Gregory I (590 AD
to 604 AD)
Musical Example: Plainchant: Viderunt Omnes No. 1
Developments in Medieval Music:
Polyphony
(meaning “many sounds”)
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Two or more lines of music sung or played
simultaneously
Polyphony began as an additional parallel
line to a line of Gregorian chant
Music notation began to be developed around
the same time that polyphony developed
Musical Example: 2-Part Organum, based on
chant melody
Musical Notation in the Medieval Period
The most important development in music during the Medieval
period was the invention of the modern system of notation for
music. About the same time that polyphony was appearing,
music notation was being developed. The founder of what is
now considered the standard music staff was Guido
d'Arezzo, an Italian Benedictine monk who lived from 995–
1050. Guido D'Arezzo's achievements paved the way for the
modern form of written music, music books, and the modern
concept of a composer.
Guido d’Arezzo also composed a chant that became the basis
for the “do, re, mi” syllables still used in teaching music
today. The proportional system of note values for rhythm was
also developed in this period.
Example of Medieval music notation:
“O virtus Sapientiae” by Hildegard von Bingen.
Sacred Music in the Medieval Period:
The Medieval Motet
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A polyphonic vocal composition with several different
melodic lines (several voices singing)
One line (called the “cantus firmus,” or “fixed song,” in
Latin) used phrases from Gregorian chant
Lines above cantus firmus were different melodies and
sometimes in a another language
Medieval motets often contained complex musical
techniques
Musical Example: Petrus la Cruce: “Aucun ont trouv”
(3-part motet sung in Latin and French simultaneously)
Secular (Non-Sacred) Music
in the Medieval Period
Hildegard von Bingen
((1098-1179 AD
, was a German writer, composer, philosopher
Christian mystic, Benedictine nun, visionary,
and polymath. She is one of the few composers
from the Medieval period for whom
biographical information still exists.
Musical Example: Plainsong (Chant): “O frondens virga,” (“O leafy
branch”) an excerpt from the Medieval morality play,
Ordo Virtutum (Play of the Virtues) by Hildegard von Bingen
Gregorian Chant
“Illuminated Manuscript”
Léonin
(flourished from circa 1150 - circa 1201)
Leonin was the first known significant
composer of polyphonic choral music.
Little is known about Leonin’s life, but it is
believed that Leonin was French and
lived and worked in Paris at the
Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Perotin
(flourished in circa 1200)
Also called Perotin the Great, was a European
composer, believed to be French, who lived
around the end of the 12th and beginning of
the 13th century. Perotin expanded and
improved the polyphonic choral style
established by Leonin.
Secular (Non-Sacred) Music
in the Medieval Period
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Lyrics (words) often written and preserved;
music seldom preserved
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Sung in vernacular (local) languages
Troubadours – traveling composer-singers who sang
ballads about chivalry and courtly love
Also:
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Dance music (mostly lost today)
Musical Example: 13th Century Medieval Dance Song
Secular (Non-Sacred) Music in the
Medieval Period
Guillaume de Machaut
( (c.1300-1377
was a French composer of the late Medieval
period and another of the few composers
from the Medieval period for whom
biographical information still exists.
Musical Example: “Dame mon couer en vous remaint”
Medieval French Love Song for 3 voices (polyphony)
“Dame mon couer en vous remaint”
Medieval French Love Song
by Guillaume de Machaut
English Translation:
Lady, my heart remains in you.
However far I may be from you.
With true love which dwells in me.
Lady, my heart remains in you.
Now I pray God your heart may love me.
Without leaving me for any other love.
Lady, my heart remains in you.
However far I may be from you