Musicofthemedieval Period

Western Music
History
 Medieval
 Renaissance
 Baroque.
The
Medieval Time
in History
MUSIC OF THE MEDIEVAL, RENAISSANCE AND
BAROQUE PERIOD
(700-1400)
MUSIC OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
(700-1400)
> Known as the Middle Ages or “Dark Ages” that
started with the fall of the Roman Empire.
> Monophonic plainchant was named after Pope

Gregory I.
 Characteristics of Gregorian Chants:

 Monophonic
 Free meter
 Modal
 Latin liturgy
 Use of neume notation
 Troubadours > group of musicians who
performed secular music.
 Characteristics of Troubadour Music:
 Usually monophonic
 Sometimes with improvised
accompaniment
 Tells of chivalry and courtly love
 Originated in France
 Written in French language
Famous Composer:
 Adam de la Halle (1237-1288)
 also known as Adam le

Bossu
 oldest secular composer
 Was a French-born trouvere,
poet and musician.
His works:
 Le Jeu de Robin et de
Marion
 La Chanson du roi de Sicile
MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE
PERIOD (1400-1600)
Renaissance - comes from the word “renaitre” which
means “rebirth”; “revival” and “rediscovery”.
 Renaissance music became popular as entertainment

and activity for amateurs and educated.
 FLute was the prominent instrument of the era.
 This era was also known as the “golden age” of

a capella choral music.
Characteristics of Renaissance Era:
 Mostly polyphonic
 Imitation among the voices is common
 Use of word painting in texts and music
 Melodic lines move in a flowing manner
 Melodies are easier to perform

Vocal Music
1. Mass – is a form of sacred musical
composition that sets texts of the
Eucharistic liturgy into music.
Characteristics of the mass:

 polyphonic
 May be sung in a capella or with orchestral
accompaniment
 Text may be syllabic, neumatic, or
melismatic
Five Main Sections:
1. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)
2. Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)
3. Credo (I believe in One God)
4. Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, Holy and

Blessed Is He)
5. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

2. Madrigal – A secular vocal polyphonic music
composition which originated from Italy. It is
written and expressed in a poetic text and sung
during courtly social gathering. It is the most
important secular form during the Renaissance
Period.
Characteristics:
 polyphonic
 Sung a cappella
 Through – composed
 Frequently in 3 to 6 voices
FAMOUS COMPOSERS
1. Giovanni Pierluigi da
Palestrina (1525-1594)
 The greatest master of

Roman Catholic church
music.
 Majority of his
compositions are sacred
music.
 Palestrina’s Pope
Marcellus Mass is held up
as the perfect example of
counter-reformation style
 was committed to sacred music and has a
keen interest in satisfying the desires of
church leaders in the 16th century.
 His career reflects his commitment to the

music of the church.
 Was an organist and choir master at both

the Sistine Chapel and at St. Peter’s.
 His first book MASSES became popular and

was greatly appreciated by Pope Julius III.
2.Thomas Morley(1557-1602)
 was a singer in the local cathedral

and became master of Choristers.
 the famous composer of secular

music
 Received his bachelor’s degree in

Oxford and became an organist at
St. Paul’s in London.
 His musica transalpina, a

collection of Italian madrigals was
published by Nicholas Yonge that
made significant contribution to
the history of music.
 His works:
 Fire, Fire My Heart

 Sing and Chant it
 Fantasie
 April Is In My Mistress’ Face
 It Was a Lover and His Lass
MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE
(1685-1750)
Baroque – is derived from the Portuguese word
“barroco” which means “pearl of irregular
shape”.
Some of the great composers of this time were

George Friedrich Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach,
Claudio Monteverdi, and Antonio Vivaldi
New instrumental technique sand changes in

musical notation were developed.
 Characteristics of Baroque Music
 Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental
 Melodies are not easy to sing or remember
 Dynamic contrast
 Music genres
 Orchestra consists of strings and continuo
 Harpsichord and organ are the keyboard instruments

that are commonly used.
Music Genres
1.Concerto – a form of orchestral music that
employs a solo instrument accompanied by an
orchestra.
2. Concerto Grosso – A form of orchestral music

during the Baroque Period wherein the music is
between a small group of solo instruments called
concertino and the whole orchestra called tutti.
3. Fugue – a contrapuntal piece, developed mainly by
imitative counterpoint usually written in 3 or 4 parts,
with a main theme called “subject”.
4. Oratorio – a large scale musical composition for

orchestra and voices that incorporates narratives on
religious themes.
Examples:
Handel’s Messiah, Samson, Israel and Egypt
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
Haydn’s The Creation
5. Chorale – musical compositions that resemble a

harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the Protestant
Church during the Baroque era.
FAMOUS COMPOSERS
Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)
> came from a family of

musicians.
> was taught to play violin

by his father
>became an orphaned at
age 10.
> His brother, a church

organist provided for him.
> was a religious man.
> was known for his compositions for organ,
orchestra and oratorio.
> his most important and long – term position
was as “cantor” at St. Thomas Church.
His works:
 Brandenburg Concertos (concerto grosso)
 Mass in B minor
 Cantata 208 and 211
 Fugue in G minor
 Works for clavichord and harpsichord
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi
(1678-1741)
>nicknamed the “Red

Priest”
>recognized as Italian
Baroque composer,
catholic priest and a
virtuoso violinist.
>known mainly for

composing instrumental
concertos, esp. for violin,
as well as sacred choral
works and over forty
> entered the priesthood and ordained in 1703.
> well-known for giving the strings a major role

in his compositions.
His work:
 The Four Seasons – this composition is a series
of four violin concerti depicting each of the

seasons Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
 George Friedrich Handel
(1685-1759)
 was the second son from

the second marriage of a
pastor.
 At age 7, he gained access

to a church organ and
started to play.
 Remembered for his

operas and oratorios.
 Became England’s favorite

composer
 He lost his eyesight in 1753
 When he conducted his oratorio, Samson, a few

in the audience were unaware that he had lost
his eyesight.
 The Messiah is Handel’s most famous creation

and the very well known Hallelujah chorus is
part of Handel’s Messiah.
His work:
The Messiah – was first performed in Dublin, and

became an instant success.

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Western Music

> Monophonic plainchant was named after Pope

 Characteristics of Gregorian Chants:

 Characteristics of Troubadour Music:

 also known as Adam le

 Renaissance music became popular as entertainment

 FLute was the prominent instrument of the era.

 This era was also known as the “golden age” of

 Imitation among the voices is common

 Use of word painting in texts and music

 Melodic lines move in a flowing manner

 Melodies are easier to perform

Characteristics of the mass:

2. Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)

3. Credo (I believe in One God)

4. Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, Holy and

5. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

 The greatest master of

 His career reflects his commitment to the

 Was an organist and choir master at both

 His first book MASSES became popular and

 was a singer in the local cathedral

 the famous composer of secular

 Received his bachelor’s degree in

 His musica transalpina, a

 Fire, Fire My Heart

Some of the great composers of this time were

New instrumental technique sand changes in

 Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental

 Melodies are not easy to sing or remember

 Orchestra consists of strings and continuo

 Harpsichord and organ are the keyboard instruments

2. Concerto Grosso – A form of orchestral music

4. Oratorio – a large scale musical composition for

5. Chorale – musical compositions that resemble a

> came from a family of

> was taught to play violin

> His brother, a church

>nicknamed the “Red

>known mainly for

> well-known for giving the strings a major role

of four violin concerti depicting each of the

 was the second son from

 At age 7, he gained access

 Remembered for his

 Became England’s favorite

 When he conducted his oratorio, Samson, a few

 The Messiah is Handel’s most famous creation

The Messiah – was first performed in Dublin, and

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