The Middle Ages

c. 476-1450

Early Middle Ages

476 – Fall of Rome Once referred to as the Dark Ages (ironic name,

became period of great development) Early Christian Church and the states were the

centers of power (not without struggles) Charlemagne (emperor of the Franks) credited

with idea of strong, central government being the responsible for law and order (742-814)

The Church in early Middle Ages

Rise of monasteries Preserved learning materials Strong emphasis on music

Therefore, largely religious (sacred) Women also played a large role (nuns)—

helped cultivate music for the church

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) Daughter of a noble couple; they gave her

to the service of the church (10th child—essentially tithed her to the church)

Became head of religious community and ca. 1150, founded a new convent in Germany.

Her reported miracles and prophesies (was reported able to foretell future) made her famous.

Her music

Different music for different feasts through the church year.

StyleGregorian chant

Full of expressive leaps and melismas that convey the meaning of the words (word painting)

Hildegard of Bingen: Alleluia, or virga mediatrix (p. 79) Melody Rhythm Texture Form Expression Performing Forces Text

Later Middle Ages (c. 1000)

Great cathedrals and universities built Trade flourished (exploration) Cities emerged as centers of art and

culture Age of Knighthood

Many ramifications “Adoration” of the female Age of the Crusades, bloody battles brought on by

deep-set religious beliefs (sound familiar?)

Arts in the Renaissance

From symbolism (in the Medieval period) to realism. The Renaissance artist humanized their subjects as the philosophy of that period was concerned with the individual.

From painting to sculpture, many big names from history: Botticelli, Leonard da Vinci, Michelangelo.

Music in Society Church, City and State as well as Courts

Choir mastersSingersOrganists InstrumentalistsCopyistsComposersTeachers Instrument buildersMusic Printers

Sacred Music—Used in the Liturgy of the Catholic Church Monophonic music—Plainsong or Plainchant Gregorian Chant (about 3000 remain)

Sung in Latin “Different” scales – modes Melodies fall into

Syllabic Neumatic Melismatic

Examples

Page 76

Music generally passed down

Through oral tradition BUT invention of notation—

Neumes (see top of page 77)

Forms of Music

The Mass (Description on page 76) The Offices—a series of services celebrated a

various hours of the day in monasteries and convents Proper Ordinary (parts of the Mass)

Kyrie – Greek prayer for mercy (p. 77) A-A-A-B-B-B-AAA (form represents Trinity) Melody conjunct, with mostly narrow range

Gloria – Others from here in Latin Credo Sanctus Agnus Dei

09 Kyrie.mp3