Music History
a look into the Medieval and
Renaissance period
By Mr. Evans
Do Now!!!
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What constitutes good music?
How is it made?
Do you need a degree to make it? If not, why?
How does it sound?
When does it sound bad?
Lets find out
Important Dates and Literature
Medieval
• The Medieval period was within 500-1400 A.D.
• Key composers and events in this period are;
a.
6th Century Rule of St. Benedict
b. 7th Century Ordo Romanus
c. 1360 Missa Notre Dame
d. 13th Century Bamberg Codex
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Medieval vocal music had three different vocal parts, composed one at
a time.
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Medieval composers where not interested in chords, more single voices.
• Khosrovidukht an Armenian hymnographer and poet who lived
during the 8th century. One of the earliest women musicians, she is
recorded as having been a member of the royal family, but here
accounts differ as to her historical importance. Some sources hold
that in the 8th-century, her brother was abducted by Muslim Arabs;
following this, she was taken to the fortress of Ani-Kamakh, now
known as Kemah, where she lived in isolation for twenty years.
• Khosrovidukht is reputed to be the composer of a šarakan, or
canonical hymn, titled "Zarmanali e Ints" ("Wondrous it is to me").
According to some sources, it honors the memory of her brother,
who was assassinated in 737 for converting to Christianity. Although
the subject of the piece is secular, it was sanctioned for use in
services by the Armenian Church.
Important dates and Literature
Renaissance
• Renaissance means rebirth
• Is the name of a European cultural period that falls between the Middle
Ages and the Baroque era.
• Describes a style of philosophy:
a. Visual arts
b. Architecture
c. Theater
d. Literture
e. Music for this period.
f. Musical styles moved to Renaissance from Medievel around 1450 and
lasted to 1600.
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Vocal music ruled in the early Renaisance.
continued
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Motets and masses where common in church.
Secular music was common as well
This is when three or four parts are played with no music.
Renaissance vocal music four or more vocal parts were written together. Each part
imitated the voice before it, using the same words.
Renaissance composers where interested in chords.
Style of music used polyphony.
In the late Renaissance, composers usually doubled the vocal instruments in band
arrangements. So instrument players usually didn’t have any music to play.
Music for instruments didn’t get composed until 1511.
Michael Praetorius wrote the book Syntagma musicum (Treatuse of Music) in 1618
Polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as
opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant
melodic voice accompanied by chords.
Motet/Mass an unaccompanied choral composition with sacred lyrics; intended to be
sung as part of a church service; originated in the 13th century
Continued………….
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Renaissance musicians played organ, harpsichord, sackbut(trombone),
Cornetto(a small, slightly curved trumpet without a bell)
Recorder
flute
Krummhorn
Occasions
Harp
Viola
The lute ( a long necked, oval-bodied, guitar-like instrument with many
strings) was an instrument for royal courts
• Instruments of this time where also used for social gatherings.
• Improvisation gave way to the standard of European dance forms.
• YouTube - Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
Composers
• Leonel Power (1370 to 1385 – 5 June 1445) was an English composer of
the late Medieval and early Renaissance eras. Along with John Dunstaple,
he was one of the major figures in English music in the early 15th century.
• YouTube - Alma Redemptoris Mater
• John Dunstaple or Dunstable (c. 1390 – 24 December 1453 was an English
composer of polyphonic music of the late medieval era and early
Renaissance. He was one of the most famous composers active in the
early 15th century, a near-contemporary of Leonel Power, and was widely
influential, not only in England but on the continent, especially in the
developing style of the Burgundian School.
• YouTube - Veni Creator Spiritus @ Notre-Dame de ParisRelated Videos
Piano
Turn to a black sheet of paper.
Do Later!!!
•
•
•
•
•
What constitutes good music?
How is it made?
Do you need a degree to make it? If not, why?
How does it sound?
When does it sound bad?