Music of the Medieval Period ( Music 9 Ppt )

MUSIC OF THE THE MEDIEV MEDIEVAL AL PERIOD

( 700 – 700 – 1400)  1400)

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- Medieval period is also known as the

“Middle Ages” or “ Dark Ages” that started with the fall fall of the Roman Roman Empire. During this time, the Christian church influence Europe’s culture and political affairs.

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-Monophonic plainchant was named after

Pope Gregory I, who made this approved music of the Catholic church. Pope Gregory’s action made monophonic plainchants popular.

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- Medieval period is also known as the

“Middle Ages” or “ Dark Ages” that started with the fall fall of the Roman Roman Empire. During this time, the Christian church influence Europe’s culture and political affairs.



-Monophonic plainchant was named after

Pope Gregory I, who made this approved music of the Catholic church. Pope Gregory’s action made monophonic plainchants popular.

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- Although plainchant music was

originally transmitted orally, scholars agreed to put it in notation to assist dissemination of chants across Europe.

GREGORIAN CHANT Also known as “ Plainchant or Plainsong” -

A form of medieval church music that involves chanting.

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Plainchant doesn’t used any instrumental accompaniment but instead it uses words that are sung.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GREGORIAN CHANT 

 Monophonic – Music consisting of a single melodic line without chordal accompaniment.

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Free meter – There is no time signature.  Free from musical time.

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Modal – is a series of musical notes in a defined order with specific intervals between each pitch.

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Usually based on Latin liturgy

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Use of Nueme Notation – system of writing music based on notation.

* SECULAR MUSIC – non- religious music. Secular music were performed across Europe by a group of musicians called TROUBADOURS. CHARACTERISTICS OF TROUBADOUR MUSIC •

Usually monophonic

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Sometimes with improvised accompaniment

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Tells of chivalry and courtly love

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Originated in France

MODES OR “CHURCH MODE” IONIAN – Constructed from the first note of a major scale. ( C ) Pattern of Ionian W-W-H-W-W-W-H. ( CDEFGABC) DORIAN – Constructed from the second note of a major scale. ( D ) Pattern of Dorian W-H-W-W-W-H-W ( DEFGABCD) PHRYGIAN – Constructed from the third note of a major scale. ( E ) Pattern of Phrygian H-W-W-W-H-W-W ( EFGABCDE)

LYDIAN – Constructed from the fourth note of a major scale. ( F ) Pattern of Lydian W-W-W-H-W-W-H ( FGABCDEF ) MIXOLYDIAN – Constructed from the fifth note of a major scale. ( G ) Pattern of Mixolydian W-W-H-W-W-H-W ( GABCDEFG) AEOLIAN – Constructed from the six note of major scale. ( A ) Pattern of Aeolian W-H-W-W-H-W-W ( ABCDEFGA)

LOCRIAN – Constructed from the seventh note of a major scale. ( B ) Pattern of Locrian H-W-W-H-W-W-W. ( BCDEFGAB )

FAMOUS COMPOSER OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD Adam de la Halle ( 1237 – 1288 ) -

He was also known as “ Adam le Bossu” a Frenchborn trouvere, poet and musician. His musical works include chansons and Juex-partris ( Poetic debates) in the style of trouvere, polyphonic rondel and motets in the style of early liturgical polyphony.

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His works include: 1. Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion 2. La Chanson du rio de Sicile

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MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD

( 1450 – 1600 )

* Renaissance comes from the word “

Renaitre” which means “ Rebirth”, a secular rebirth for men delighted with life. * The influence of the Roman Catholic started to decline as the new music genre arose. Though sacred music was still of great importance, secular music became more prominent in the renaissance period. This era was also known as the “ Acapella Choral Music”

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One of the most important events during the Renaissance was the invention of printing and paper in 1450 and also music was an important part in the lives of the upper and middle classes.

* Lute was the prominent instrument of the renaissance era.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RENAISSANCE MUSIC 

Mostly polyphonic – having two or more voices or parts, each with independent melody.

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Imitation of voices is common

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Use of word painting and music

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Melodic lines move in a flowing manner

VOCAL MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD * Mass – is a form of sacred musical composition that sets text of the Eucharistic liturgy into music. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MASS * Polyphonic * Maybe sung in acapella or with orchestral accompaniment. * Text may be syllabic ( one note set to each syllable), nuematic ( a few notes set to one syllable), or melismatic ( many notes to one syllable)

FIVE MAIN SECTIONS OF MASS

Kyrie ( Lord Have Mercy)  Gloria ( Glory to God in the Highest)  Credo ( I Believe in One God)  Sanctus and Benedictus ( Holy, holy and Blessed is He)  Agnus Dei ( Lamb of God) 

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Madrigal  – a secular vocal polyphonic music composition which originated from Italy

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- it is written and expressed in a poetic text and sung during courtly social gatherings. It is the most important secular form during the Renassaince Period.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MADRIGAL

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-Polyphonic

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-Sung in Acapella

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-Frequently in 3-6 voices

FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina ( 1525 – Febuary 2, 1594) •

Greatestest master of Roman Catholic Church during the Renaissance period.

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Majority of his compositions are sacred music.

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He was committed to sacred music and has a keen interest in satisfying the desires of the church leaders in sixteenth century.

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* He was an organist and choir master at both Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s which may have influenced his distinctively pure and restrained style in musical composition.

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THOMAS MORLEY ( 1557 – 1602 )

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Morley was born in Norwich, East England.

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* He was a singer in the local cathedral from his boyhood, and he became master of choristers there in 1583.

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* Morley was the famous composer of secular music in his time. Most of his composition show a variety of color, form and technique.

BAROQUE PERIOD

( 1600 – 1750 )

The word Baroque is derived from Portuguese word “ Barroco” which means a “ Pearl with irregular shape”. Some of the great composers of this time where Friedrich Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. During this time, the arts highlighted grandiose and elaborate ornamentation. These were clearly seen in the musical compositions by baroque composers.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BAROQUE MUSIC -

Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental

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Melodies are not easy to sing or remember

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Primarily contrapuntal

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Dynamic contrast

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Harpsichord and Organ are the keyboard instruments that are used

HARPSICHORD

CLAVICHORD

MUSIC GENRES OF BAROQUE MUSIC Concerto – a form of orchestral music that employs a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra  Concerto Grosso – a form of orchestral music during the baroque period where in the music is between a small group of solo instrument called concertino and the whole orchestra called tutti.  Oratorio – a large scale musical composition for orchestra and voices that incorporates narrative on religious themes. Unlike usual theatrical works, this is usually performed w/o the used of costumes, scenery or action and usually written in the native language for the intended audience. 

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Chorale – a musical composition that resemble a harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the protestant church during the baroque era.

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Fugue - is a contrapuntal composition in two or more voices, built on a subject (theme) that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition.

J O H A N N S EB A S TIA N B A C H 

Born: March 21 1685, Germany Died: July 28, 1750

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J. S. Bach came from a family of musicians. He was taught to play violin by his father who was then the town musician in Eisanach.

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Bach was a religious man. His personal and deep faith is shown in his sacred musical works. He was also known for his compositions for organ, orchestra and oratorio.

W  O R K S  O F S E B A S T I A N  B A C H  

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Concerto Grosso

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Masses

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Cantatas

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Fuges

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Works for Clavichord and Harpsichord

A N T O N IO L U C I O V IVA L D I 

Born: Venice, March 4, 1678

Died: July 28, 1741

 Antonio Vivaldi, nicknamed Il Prete Rosso “ The Red Priest” because of his red hair.

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He was a Italian Baroque composer, Catholic priest and a Virtuoso violinist.

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Vivaldi is know mainly for composing instrumental concertos especially for the violin as well as choral works over forty operas.

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Vivaldi is well known for giving the string a major role in his composition.

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His famous piece is the four seasons. This composition is a series of four violin concerti depicting each of the season “ Spring , Summer, Autumn and Winter.

G O E R G E F R IE D R IC H H A N D E L 

Born: Germany, February 23, 1685

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Died: London, April 14, 1759

* George Handel was the second son from the marriage of a pastor. Despite of his father’s opposition, George secretly taught himself to play the harpsichord. •

Handel is remembered for his operas and oratorios.

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Handel became England’s favorite composer.

* Handel lost both of his eyesight in 1753 when he conducted his oratorio, “ Samson”.