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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
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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 8thtone that duplicates the 1st an octave higher • Used in secular and sacred music • Alleluia: VidimusStellam (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 • 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: • Rebec- bowed string instrument • Pipe- tubular wind instrument • 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
Renaissance 1450-1600
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
