Music of theMedieval PeriodA journey in music through the

Medieval Period

Mrs. HebererMusicMF 1

February 14, 2012

This era begins with the fall of the Roman Empire and ends sometime in the early fifteenth century.

The earliest Medieval music did not have any kind of notational system.

This form of notation only served as a memory aid for a singer who already knew the melody.

The music theory of the Medieval period saw several advances over previous practice both in regard to tonal material, texture, and rhythm.

Concerning rhythm, this period had several dramatic changes in both its conception and notation.

Due to the outstanding advances, musicologists debated often and feverishly.

A brief history of Medieval Music

Troubadours – a composer and performer from Northern France during the Medieval Era

Trouveres – the Northern France version of the Troubadour.

The music of was a dialect tradition ofmonophonic secular song

The language was Occitan and Old French.

The period of the troubadours corresponded to the flowering of cultural life in Provence which lasted through the twelfth century and into the first decade of the 13th.

Common topics of troubadour/trouveres song were war, chivalry, and love.

Most of the more than two thousand surviving songs show a sophistication of music and poetry.

Troubadours and Trouvères

1098 – September 17, 1779 German compooser Bingen wrote theological, botanical and

medicinal texts in addition to music Uncommon for women to be as well-known Wrote the oldest surviving morality play,

“Ordo Virtutum” Wrote sacred monophonic music for voices and lute

Hildegard von Bingen

C. 1200 – DOB is relatively unknown European composer Also known as “Perotin the Great” Wrote in the ars antigua, organa (early

polyphony music), and Gregorian chant styles Most famous member of the Notre Dame school

of polyphony Anonymous IV called him “magnus,” a mark of

esteem. Works include Viderunt omnes, Sederunt

principles, and Alleluia, Posui adiutorium He wrote for solo voices, a cappella music

Perotin

C. 1300 – April 1377 French poet and composer One of the first composers with biological information Brother-in-law to a French King “The last great poet who was also a composer” Composed a wide range of styles including the

motet, rondeau, ballade, and polyponic forms Ars Nova musical movement dealing with love Messe de Nostre Dame, En un gardin, Zodiac Wrote mostly a cappella works

Guillaume de Machaut

Pan flute and gemshorm – made of wood, side-blown or end-blown. Member of the woodwind and ocarina family. Possibly of Hellenic origin

String instruments – lute, mandore, gittern, psaltery, dulcimers, zithers

Lyra – first recorded European bowed string instrument

Medieval Instrumnets

Hurdy gurdy was a mechanical violin

Most instruments were usually played alone, sometimes in small chamber-type ensembles

Most instruments were 14-century instruments, created during this time period or a little earlier

More Medieval Instruments

Gemshorn

Medieval Instruments, cont.

Gittern

Hurdy-Gurdy

Dulcimer

Jaw HarpVielle

Gregorian Chant◦ Monophonic – one melody, no harmony◦ Vocal genre, no accompaniment◦ Sacred – used often in churches, liturgical◦ Very seldom were these chants written down ◦ Created by Pope Gregory the Great◦ Still used today◦ Hildegard de Bingen wrote several chants

Ars Nova – new music◦ Polyphonic – more than one vocal line◦ Mostly secular (not in church) – French◦ A movement wanting more new music◦ Rejected by the Pope - The monophonic chant, was becoming altered◦ Merging secular music with sacred music◦ Guillaume de Machaut◦ Used instruments, some a cappella

Musical Genres

Motets◦ Varied topics, mostly sacred/some secular texts◦ “A piece of music Is several parts and words”◦ Motet – to move◦ Cantus Firmus – counterpoint◦ 2 to 3 part songs, French, Latin, English texts◦ Chamber ensembles and a cappella◦ Guillaume de Mauchant

Madrigal ◦ Secular vocal composition, partsongs◦ Varied voices, from 2 – 10, mainly 6◦ Italian through-composed◦ Funny topics, usually about love◦ Almost always a cappella◦ The Aria formed from Madrigals ◦ Piertro Bembo and Petrarch

Musical Genres, cont.

Guillame de Machuat – Rose, Lis, Printemps, Verdue◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPQjqZm6q0Q

Machaut – Messa de Nostre Dame ◦ http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfFafi6OagM&feature=fvsr

Hildegard of Bingen – Spiritus Sanctus◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJEfyZSvg5c

Various – Madrigals◦ http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgwxnEs8yqY&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLE908FCCAC5476BE2

Brunette and Puerum – 2 motets◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLD7FiHaTqE

Musical Examples

Integral part of everyday life for the people of that time period.

Music of the Middle Ages was especially popular during times of celebration and festivities.

Music was often played during holidays and special parties. On Mayday, dancers would dance to specially-prepared, high-

pitched music. ◦ It was believed that by doing so, the hibernating spirits

would be awakened and forewarned that spring had arrived. People during the Middle Ages also ate to the sound of

traditional music during and between meal courses. It was believed in those days that medieval music was not

only delightful to the ears, but it also helped in the digestion of food, hence the reason for music at mealtimes.

The music of Medieval times was very important to the listeners of that era, whether it be for special celebrations, holidays, or for something as simple as eating a meal.

A few more things…. Music in Everyday Life