Time Line Middle Ages (450-1450) Rome sacked by Vandals 455 Beowolf c. 700 First Crusade 1066 Black Death 1347-52 Joan of Arc executed by English 1431 Part II – The Middle Ages and Renaissance The Middle Ages Period of wars and mass migration Strong class distinctions – Nobility: castles, knights in armor, feasting – Peasantry: lived in huts; serfs—part of land – Clergy: ruled everyone; only monks literate Part II – The Middle Ages and Renaissance The Middle Ages Architecture – Early: Romanesque – Late: Gothic Visual Arts – Stressed iconic/symbolic, not realism Late Middle Ages saw technological progress Part II – The Middle Ages and Renaissance Chapter 1: Music in the Middle Ages Church dominates musical activity – Most musicians were priests – Women did not sing in mixed church settings Music primarily vocal and sacred – Instruments not used in church Chapter 1 Gregorian Chant Was official music of Roman Catholic Church – No longer common since Second Vatican Council Monophonic melody set to Latin text Flexible rhythm without meter and beat Named for Pope Gregory I (r. 590-604) Originally no music notation system – Notation developed over several centuries The Church Modes “Otherworldly” sound—basis of Gregorian Chant Different ½ and whole steps than modern scales Middle Ages and Renaissance used these scales – Some Western Music uses these scale patterns - What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?—Dorian mode - When Johnny Comes Marching Home—Aeolian mode Chapter 1 Listening Alleluia: Vidimus stellam (We Have Seen His Star) Listening Outline: p. 68 Brief set, CD 1:47 Listen for: Gregorian Chant (Latin language) Many notes per syllable of text Monophonic texture Ternary form—A B A Chapter 1 Chapter 1: Music in Nonwestern Cultures Characteristics of Nonwestern Music It reflects its supporting culture – Frequently linked with religion, dance and drama – Often used to communicate messages and relate traditions Chapter 1 Oral Tradition Frequently transmitted by oral tradition – Music notation far less important than in western culture - Many cultures do not have a music notation - When they do, it serves as a record, not for teaching or performance Chapter 1 Improvisation Improvisation is frequently basic to the music – Improvisation usually based on traditional melodic phrases and rhythmic patterns Chapter 1 Voices Singing usually main way of making music Vocal approach, timbre, and techniques vary throughout the world – Nasal sound – Strained tone – Throat singing – Many others Chapter 1 Music in Society Music permeates African life from religion, entertainment, and magic to rites of passage It is so interwoven into life that the abstract word “music” is not used by many peoples Chapter 2 Closely associated with dancing in ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations – Dancers frequently play and sing while dancing Music is a social activity—everyone joins in No musical notation—passed by oral tradition Chapter 2 Elements of African Music Rhythm and Percussion Complex rhythms and polyrhythms predominate Dancers choose to follow any of the various rhythms The body used as an instrument – Clapping, stamping, slapping thigh/chest Chapter 2 Vocal Music Wide variety of sounds, even within a single piece – Call and response extremely common Percussion ostinato frequently accompanies singers Short musical phrases repeated to different words Chapter 2 Texture Often homophonic or polyphonic – This is unlike most nonwestern musics Same melody often sung at many pitch levels Chapter 2 Listening Ompeh Song from central Ghana Claude Debussy Listening Outline: p. 411 Brief Set, CD 4:66 Music of the Akan-speaking peoples in Ghana. Listen for: Call and response Solo vocalist and chorus Percussion ensemble Chapter 2 Time Line Renaissance (1450-1600) Guttenberg Bible 1456 Columbus reaches America 1492 Leonardo da Vinci: Mona Lisa c. 1503 Michelangelo: David 1504 Raphael: School of Athens 1505 Martin Luther’s 95 Theses 1517 Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet 1596 Part II – The Middle Ages and Renaissance The Renaissance Rebirth of human learning and creativity Time of great explorers Humanism Fascination with ancient Greece and Rome Part II – The Middle Ages and Renaissance The Renaissance Visual art becomes more realistic – Mythology is favorite subject – Nude body, as in ancient times, is shown Weakening of the Catholic Church Education and literacy now status symbol – Result of invention of printing press David by Michelangelo Part II – The Middle Ages and Renaissance Chapter 2: Music in the Renaissance Church choirs grew in size (all male) Rise of the individual patron – Musical center shifted from church to courts – Court composers wrote secular and sacred music – Women did not sing in mixed church settings Chapter 2 Musicians: higher status and pay than before – Composers became known for their work Many composers were Franco-Flemish – Worked throughout Europe, especially in Italy Italy became music capital in 16th century – Other important centers: Germany, England, Spain Chapter 2 Characteristics of Renaissance Music Words and Music Vocal music more important than instrumental Word painting/text painting Chapter 2 Texture Polyphonic Primarily vocal - a cappella – Instruments, if present, doubled the vocal parts Rhythm and Melody Rhythm “flows” and overlaps – Composers less concerned with metrical accents Smooth, stepwise melodies predominate – Melodies overlap rhythmically between voices Chapter 2 Secular Music in the Renaissance Madrigal – Intended for amateur performers (after dinner music) – Extensive use of text painting – Printed in part-book or opposing-sheet format – Originated in Italy - English madrigal lighter and simpler Chapter 2 Listening As Vesta was Descending (1601) by Thomas Weelkes Vocal Music Guide: p. 87 Brief Set, CD 1:62 Follow text (English) throughout song Note text painting: Pitches rise on “ascending” Pitches fall on “descending” “Running down” “Two by two,” “three by three,” “all alone” Chapter 2 Time Line Shakespeare: Hamlet 1600 Cervantes: Don Quixote 1605 Jamestown founded 1607 Galileo: Earth orbits Sun 1610 King James Bible 1611 Newton: Principia Mathematica 1687 Witchcraft trials in Salem, Mass. 1692 Defoe: Robinson Crusoe 1719 Swift: Gulliver’s Travels 1726 PART III—THE BAROQUE PERIOD The Baroque Style Time of flamboyant lifestyle Baroque style “fills the space” Visual Art – Implies motion - Note pictures p. 93 – Busy - Note pictures p. 94 PART III—THE BAROQUE PERIOD The Baroque Style Architecture – Elaborate - Note picture p. 95 Change in approach to science – Experiment-based, not just observation – Inventions and improvements result PART III—THE BAROQUE PERIOD Chapter 1: Baroque Music Period begins with rise of opera – Opera: a play with speaking parts sung Period ends with death of J. S. Bach The two giants: Bach and Handel Other important composers: – Claudio Monteverdi – Arcangelo Corelli – Henry Purcell – Antonio Vivaldi Chapter 1 Period divided into 3 phases: – Early: 1600-1640 - Rise of opera - Text with extreme emotion - Homophonic to project words Chapter 1 Period divided into 3 phases: – Early: 1600-1640 – Middle: 1640-1680 - New musical style spreads from Italy throughout Europe - Use of the church modes gives way to major and minor scales - Rise of importance of instrumental music Chapter 1 Period divided into 3 phases: – Early: 1600-1640 – Middle: 1640-1680 – Late: 1680-1750 - Instrumental music becomes as important as vocal music - Elaborate polyphony dominates - Most baroque music we hear comes from the Late Baroque Chapter 1 Chapter 2: Music in Baroque Society Music written to order – New music, not old-fashioned, was desired Courts: – Music and musical resources indicated affluence Court Music Director – Good prestige, pay, and other benefits - Still considered a skilled servant Chapter 2 Some aristocrats were musicians Church music was very elaborate – Most people heard music only in church Some, though few, public opera houses Music careers taught by apprenticeship – Orphanages taught music as a trade Chapter 2 Characteristics of Baroque Music Unity of Mood – Expresses one mood per piece Rhythm – Rhythmic patterns are repeated throughout Melody – Opening melody heard again and again Dynamics – Volumes constant with abrupt changes Texture – Late baroque mostly polyphonic – Extensive use of imitation Chapter 1 Chords and the Basso Continuo – Emphasis on way chords follow each other - Bass part considered foundation of the harmony – Basso Continuo: bass part with numbers to represent chord tones - Similar to modern jazz and pop “fake book” notation Words and Music – Text painting/word painting continues – Words frequently emphasized by extension through many rapid notes Chapter 1 Chapter 5: The Elements of Opera Drama sung to orchestral accompaniment Text in opera is called libretto – Music is written by a composer – Libretto is written by a librettist Opera can be serious, comic, or both Chapter 5 Two primary types of solo songs: – Recitative: presents plot material – Aria: expresses emotion—usually a “show-off” vehicle for the singer Other types of songs in opera: – Duet – Quartet – Trio – Quintet, etc. - Allows for conversation between characters - Three or more singers make up an ensemble Chapter 5 Chorus: groups of actors playing crowd parts The prompter and the prompter’s box The orchestra pit Preludes: Instrumentals that open opera acts Modern questions concerning text in opera – Translation of text and effects upon text painting – Supertitles—projection of text above the stage Chapter 5 Chapter 7: Claudio Monteverdi Italian, early baroque composer Wrote first great operatic work, Orfeo Worked last 30 years at St. Mark’s in Venice – Composed both sacred music and secular music for the aristocracy Only three of his twelve operas still exist Chapter 7 Listening Tu Se’ Morta from Orfeo (Orpheus, 1607) Claudio Monteverdi Vocal Music Guide p. 119 Brief Set, CD 1:71 Listen for: Homophonic texture Rhythmically free vocal line Use of text painting Chapter 7 Time Line Freud: Interpretation of Dreams 1900 Einstein: special theory of relativity 1905 First World War 1914-1918 Russian Revolution begins 1917 Great Depression begins 1929 Hitler appointed chancellor of Germany 1933 Second World War 1939-1945 Atomic bomb destroys Hiroshima 1945 PART VI—THE TWENTIETH CENTURY AND BEYOND Time Line Korean War 1950-1953 Crick & Watson: structure of DNA Vietnam War 1953 1955-1975 President Kennedy assassinated 1963 American astronauts land on moon 1969 Dissolution of the Soviet Union 1991 Mandela elected president of South Africa 1994 Terrorist attacks in U.S. 2001 War in Iraq began 2003 PART VI—THE TWENTIETH CENTURY AND BEYOND Characteristics of Twentieth-Century Music Tone Color Unusual playing techniques were called for – Glissando, flutter tongue, col legno, extended notes Percussion use was greatly expanded – New instruments were added/created - Xylophone, celesta, woodblock, … - Other “instruments:” typewriter, automobile brake drum, siren Chapter 1 Music not written for choirs of instruments – Composers wrote for timbres, or “groups of soloists” - Unusual groupings of instruments for small ensembles - Orchestra scoring also reflects this trend Chapter 1 Harmony Consonance and Dissonance Harmony and treatment of chords changed – Before 1900: consonant and dissonant - Opposite sides of the coin – After 1900: degrees of dissonance Chapter 1 Rhythm Rhythmic vocabulary expanded – Emphasis upon irregularity and unpredictability - Shifting meters - Irregular meters – Polyrhythm Chapter 1 Melody Melody no longer bound by harmony’s notes Major and minor keys no longer dominate Melody may be based upon a variety of scales, or even all twelve tones – Frequent wide leaps – Rhythmically irregular – Unbalanced phrases Chapter 1 Chapter 18: Jazz Developed in the United States – Began around 1900 in New Orleans – Originally music for bars and brothels – Early practitioners primarily African-American Main characteristics – – – – Improvisation Syncopated rhythm Steady beat Call and response Originally performance music; not notated Tremendous impact on pop and art music Chapter 18 Jazz in Society Geographical center has moved around Originally music for dancing – Listening forms later developed – No longer associated with unfashionable lifestyle - Colleges now offer bachelor and graduate degrees in jazz Chapter 18 Roots of Jazz Blend of elements of several cultures – West African emphasis on improvisation, percussion, and call and response techniques – American brass band influence on instrumentation – European harmonic and structural practice Ragtime and blues were immediate sources Chapter 18 Blues Vocal and instrumental form Twelve-measure (bar) musical structure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 I IV I V I Three-part vocal structure: a a’ b – Statement—repeat of statement—counterstatement Chapter 18 Listening Lost Your Head Blues (1926) Performed by Bessie Smith (Smith known as “Empress of the Blues”) Vocal Music Guide: p. 375 Brief Set, CD 4:57 Listen for: Performance Profile: Bessie Smith, vocalist Listen for performer’s interpretation that includes clear diction, powerful round sound, and “bent” notes Strophic form Twelve-bar blues form Three-part (a a’ b) vocal structure Trumpet answers vocalist (call and response) Chapter 18 Chapter 20: Rock Developed in mid-1950s – First called rock and roll, later shortened to rock Common features: – Vocal – Hard-driving beat – Featured electric guitar - Made use of heavily amplified sound Grew mainly from rhythm and blues – Also drew influences from country and western Incorporated new technologies as they came available Chapter 20 Development of Rock Early performers included: – Chuck Berry – Little Richard – The Platters – Bill Haley and His Comets - Rock Around the Clock – Elvis Presley (King of Rock and Roll) Chapter 20 1960s: Rock by black performers called soul – James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin Motown blended R&B with mainstream music – Diana Ross & the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, … 1964: US tour by the Beatles, an English group – More English groups followed: The British Invasion - Rolling Stones, The Who, … – Beatles most influential group in rock history Chapter 20 Elements of Rock Tone Color Guitar-based, small core performance group – Two guitars, bass guitar, drum set, keyboards – Usually a singer/instrumentalist – Occasionally other instruments (horns, strings, etc.) Frequent vocal effects (shout, scream, falsetto) Chapter 20 Rhythm Almost always in 4/4 meter – Simple subdivision of beats - 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &, 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &, … – Late-70s & 80s: more rhythmically complex - Result of polyrhythmic influences of African music Chapter 20 Form, Melody, and Harmony Two commonly utilized forms: – Twelve-bar blues form – Thirty-two-bar A A B A form Short, repeated melodic patterns Usually built on modes, not major/minor Harmonically simple – Usually three or four (or fewer) chords – Often uses chord progressions that were rare in earlier popular music Chapter 20 Listening Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (1967) from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles Sgt. Pepper was rock setting of unified song cycle (13 songs). Wide range of instruments, influences, and styles. Listening Guide: p. 400 Lucy in the Sky, third song in cycle, has three sections: A & B are gentle in triple meter, while C strongly contrasts and is in quadruple meter. Chapter 20 Time Line Monroe Doctrine 1823 Hugo: Hunchback of Notre Dame 1831 Dickens: Oliver Twist 1837 Dumas: The Three Musketeers 1844 Poe: The Raven 1845 Darwin: Origin of Species 1859 American Civil War 1861-1865 Twain: Huckleberry Finn 1884 Bell invents telephone 1876 PART V—THE ROMANTIC PERIOD Romanticism (1820-1900) Stressed emotion, imagination, and individualism Emotional subjectivity basis of arts Favorite artistic topics: – Fantasy and the supernatural – Middle Ages/concept of chivalry and romance - Architecture revived Gothic elements – Nature as mirror of the human heart Period of the Industrial Revolution – Resulted in social and economic changes PART V—THE ROMANTIC PERIOD Chapter 1: Romanticism in Music Many important Romantic composers Franz Schubert Bedrich Smetana Robert Schumann Antonin DvoĆák Clara Schumann Peter Tchaikovsky Frederic Chopin Johannes Brahms Franz Liszt Giuseppe Verdi Felix Mendelssohn Giacomo Puccini Hector Berlioz Richard Wagner Chapter 1 Continued use of classical period forms – Much individual alteration and adjustment Greater range of tone color, dynamics, and pitch than in classical period Expanded harmony—complex chords Chapter 1 Characteristics of Romantic Music Individuality of Style Composers wanted uniquely identifiable music – Worked to find their own voice In romantic music, it is far easier to identify individual composers through listening Chapter 1 Expressive Aims and Subjects All approaches were explored: – Flamboyance, intimacy, unpredictability, melancholy, rapture, longing, … Romantic love still the focus of songs and operas – Lovers frequently depicted as unhappy and facing overwhelming obstacles Dark topics draw composers Chapter 1 Colorful Harmony Chords built with notes not in traditional keys – Chromatic harmony Harmonic instability a consciously used device – Wide use of keys – Frequent and rapid modulation Chapter 1 Expanded Range of Dynamics, Pitch, and Tempo Dynamics ff, pp expanded to ffff and pppp Extremely high and low pitches were added Changes in mood frequently underlined by (sometimes subtle) shifts in tempo – Rubato: slight holding back or pressing forward of tempo Chapter 1 Forms: Miniature and Monumental Some composers went on for hours – Required hundreds of performers Others’ music lasted only a few minutes – Written for a single instrument Composers wrote symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, concertos, operas, and many other classically traditional works Chapter 1 Chapter 2: Romantic Composers and Their Public Demise of the patronage system – Composers regarded themselves as “free spirits” – Decline in aristocratic fortune—Napoleonic wars New urban classes and new musical topics Music conservatories founded in Europe and U.S. Public was entranced by virtuosity Chapter 2 Private music-making increased – Piano became fixture in most homes Composers and audience came from the same social class Few composers were financially successful – Most supported themselves through performing, teaching lessons, and/or authoring Chapter 2 Chapter 3: The Art Song Composition for solo voice and piano – Accompaniment integral part of the song Linked to vast amount of poetry in this period – Composers interpret poem’s, mood, atmosphere and imagery into music - Mood often set at beginning with piano introduction and summed up at end with piano postlude Chapter 3 Strophic and Through-Composed Form Strophic form repeats music for each verse Through-composed—new music for each verse Sometimes modified strophic form used The Song Cycle Group of songs unified in some manner – Storyline or musical idea may link the songs Chapter 3 Chapter 4: Franz Schubert Born in Vienna (1797-1828) Early Romantic composer Prodigious output – When eh was 18 years old, he wrote 143 songs – At 19 years of age, he wrote 179 works - Included two symphonies, an opera, and a mass Not financially successful – His symphonies were not performed until after his death Chapter 4 Schubert’s Music Wrote over 600 songs – Also symphonies, string quartets, other chamber music, sonatas, masses, operas, and piano works - The Unfinished Symphony: only two movements, not four Chapter 4 Listening Erlkonig (The Erlking; 1815) Franz Schubert Vocal Music Guide: p. 223 Brief Set, CD 3:12 Based upon narrative ballad with supernatural topic by Goethe Listen for: Through-composed form Piano portrays galloping horse Different characters have their notes pitched at different levels to emphasize dialog Dramatic ending Chapter 4 Chapter 11: Johann Sebastian Bach German, late baroque composer Organist and violinist – Deeply religious (Lutheran) – Worked in sacred and secular positions - Weimar, Cothen, Leipzig Large family Chapter 11 Known during lifetime as keyboardist, not composer – Master of improvisation Almost unknown outside Germany Baroque style going out of fashion during his lifetime – Bach’s music fell from use following his death Chapter 11 Bach’s Music Wrote in every form except opera – Compositions recognized for technical mastery - Highpoint of polyphony combined with harmony - All music majors study Bach’s compositions His extensive instrumental works indicate the new importance of instrumental music Wrote music exploring musical concepts – Art of the Fugue demonstrates potential of this form – Six suites for solo cello demonstrates cello techniques – Well-Tempered Clavier explores new method of tuning Chapter 11 Chapter 13: The Chorale and Church Cantata Lutheran church service was social event of the week – Lasted four hours with one-hour sermon – Music was major part of worship service – Congregation participated in singing chorales Chapter 13 Chorale: hymn tune with German text Cantata – Multi-movement church work for chorus, soloists, and orchestra – Vernacular religious text – Resembled opera in its use of choruses, recitatives, arias, and duets Chapter 13 Listening Cantata No. 140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (Awake, A Voice Is Calling Us-1731) Johann Sebastian Bach Based upon a chorale tune that was then over 130 years old Listening Guide: p. 135 Brief Set, CD 2:45 Listen for: Vernacular (German) text A A B form Chapter 13 Listening Cantata No. 140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (Awake, A Voice Is Calling Us-1731) Johann Sebastian Bach First movement: Chorus and Orchestra Listening Guides: pp. 136-138 Basic Set, CD 2:39 Listen for: Vernacular (German) text Chorale tune basis Polyphonic Ritornello form Chapter 13 Listening Cantata No. 140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (Awake, A Voice Is Calling Us-1731) Johann Sebastian Bach Fourth movement: Tenor Chorale Vocal Music Guide: p. 139 Basic Set, CD 2:39 (Brief Set, CD 2:12) Listen for: Scored for tenors, violins/violas in unison, and basso continuo Chorale tune basis Ritornello form Chapter 13 Listening Cantata No. 140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (Awake, A Voice Is Calling Us-1731) Johann Sebastian Bach Seventh movement: Chorale Vocal Music Guide: p. 140 Basic Set, CD 2:45 (Brief Set, CD 2:15) Listen for: Chorale tune basis Homophonic, instruments double voices Simple/tuneful—congregation could join in Chapter 13 Chapter 14: The Oratorio Like opera: – Large-scale work for chorus, soloists, and orchestra – Contains arias, recitatives, ensembles Unlike opera: – No acting, scenery, or costumes – Based upon biblical stories Not intended for religious services – Commonly performed today in both churches and concert halls Chapter 14 Chapter 15: George Frederic Handel Born in Germany—same year as Bach – Not from musical family - Father wanted him to be a lawyer Studied music in Germany, then to Italy to study opera, finally England to work – Became England’s most important composer – Wrote many operas in London – Had own opera company - Worked as composer, performer, and impresario – Buried in Westminster Abbey Chapter 15 Handel’s Music Wrote in every baroque form – Bulk of his work in oratorios and operas - Favored Old Testament stories as topics for oratorios His music has more changes in texture than Bach’s Extensive use of changing moods – Shifts between major and minor keys – His arias showcase virtuoso singers’ abilities Chapter 15 The Messiah (1741) George Frederic Handel 2½ hours of music written over a period of 24 days Premiered to wide acclaim during a trip to Ireland Poorly received in England until a performance to benefit an orphanage Topic: Prophesies about Christ, his birth, and death Text drawn from Biblical passages Chapter 15 Listening The Messiah (1741) George Frederic Handel Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted Aria for tenor, strings, and basso continuo Vocal Music Guide: p. 144 Brief Set, CD 2:10 Listen for: Opens and closes with string ritornello Extensive text painting Chapter 15 Listening The Messiah (1741) George Frederic Handel For unto Us a Child is Born Chorus, strings, and basso continuo Listening Guide: p. 147 Basic Set, CD 2:51 Listen for: Joyful musical mood Subdued dynamics until forte outburst Extensive text painting Chapter 15 Listening The Messiah (1741) George Frederic Handel Hallelujah Chorus Vocal Music Guide: pp. 146-147 Brief Set, CD 2:11 Listen for: Mixture of monophonic, polyphonic, homophonic textures Words and phrases repeat over and over Chapter 15