450-1600. most important musicians were priests that worked for the church boys received music...
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MIDDLE AGES
450-1600
Introduction
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)
Cont’d…
Throughout the period the clergy complained about the noisy instruments
Instruments were also the source of conflict between composers
Gregorian Chant
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
Church Modes
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
Secular Music
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
A. Lowest in social level with prostitutes and slaves, but important source for information
Estampie
Medieval dance and one of the earliest forms of instrumental music (Listen) 1,52
Instruments:1. Rebec- bowed string instrument2. Pipe- tubular wind instrument3. Psaltery- plucked or struck string
instrument
The Development of Polyphony
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.
14th Century: “New Art” in France
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
Guillaume de Machaut
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
RENAISSANCE1450-1600
Overview
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
Leading Countries
Italy- leading music center in the 16th century
Others- Germany, England, and Spain
Words and Music
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)
Texture
Mostly polyphonic Renaissance music sounds fuller than
medieval music (bass register was used for the first time)= richer harmonies
Golden Age
Unaccompanied choral music- a cappella
Sacred Music in the Renaissance
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
Josquin Des Prez
Master of Renaissance music Compositions include masses, motets,
and secular vocal pieces Ex. Ave Maria…Virgo Serena 1475
(Listen) 1,56
Secular Music in the Renaissance
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
Madrigals
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
Instrumental Music
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
Important Renaissance Instruments
Recorders Shawms Cornetts Sackbuts Lutes Violas Organs Regals Harpsichords
Recorder
Shawm
Cornett
Sackbut
Lute
Viola
Organ
Regal
Harpsicord
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