Medieval Music and Adam De La Halle

Study Notes

Western musical traditions in the Middle Ages are collectively known as Medieval Music.
The era spanned from the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century to the early 15th century.
Gregorian Chant was the main practice of Western plainchant, which is monophonic and a sacred song without accompaniment.
Liturgical Drama was a European tradition with Christian stories that originated early in the Middle Ages.
Troubadour Music was a style of lyric poetry composed and performed by troubadours (men) and trobairitz (women) in the Middle Ages.
Centered on chivalry and courtly love, the music was typically sung by professionals and accompanied by instruments.

Adam de la Halle, also known as Adam le Bossu or Adam the Hunchback, was a French trouvere, poet, and musician.
He was born around 1237 and died sometime between 1288 and 1306.

Renaissance, a French term meaning "rebirth," marked a transition towards the modern world of music.
The era is often considered the Golden Age of Vocal Polyphony.
Madrigals were popular during the Renaissance, characterized by fluidity and motion.

Giovanni Pierluigi Da Palestrina
- Born between February 1525-1526 in Palestrina, Italy.
- A renowned Renaissance composer, he is considered the most important 16th-century representative of the Roman School of Musical Composition.
- His work significantly influenced the development of Roman Catholic music.
Thomas Morley
- Born in 1557 and died around 1602-1608.
- Morley was an English composer, organist, and theorist.
- He was a key figure in introducing the Italian madrigal tradition to England.

The Baroque era spanned from 1685 to 1750.
"Barroco," meaning "pearl that is regularly shaped," is a Portuguese word often used to describe this era.
The Baroque period is notable for its use of instrumental and secular music.
Johann Sebastian Bach
- Born in 1685, Bach is revered as the "Father of German Cantata" and considered the greatest German composer of his time.
- He was a gifted organist.
George Friederic Handel
- Born in Halle, Germany, Handel is known as one of the most significant oratorio composers in Germany.

A large-scale musical composition featuring a choir, orchestra, and soloists.
It lacks interaction between characters, props, or costumes, making it more of a concert piece.

A narrative vocal piece that can be sacred or secular, often accompanied by instruments.

The first cave paintings were discovered in Altamira, Spain in 1879.
Often dubbed "The Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic Art," these paintings were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Found in France, Cave Chauvet houses the most important collection of preserved Paleolithic cave paintings.

A broad term encompassing ancient Egyptian architecture, sculpture, painting, and decorative arts.

The Pyramids represent the largest and oldest tombs and burial places in the world.
The Pyramids of Giza, the grandest monuments of the Egyptian Old Kingdom, are notable structures.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the largest and oldest, measures 481 feet high and 775 feet long.

This iconic Egyptian statue possesses the body of a lion and the face of a pharaoh.
It measures 24 feet long and 65 feet high.

Construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria took 20 years and resulted in a structure reaching 384 feet tall.

Greek Art
- Greek art encompassed architecture, painting, sculpture, and decorative arts.
- Archaic Period
  - Sculptures during this period were large, rigid, and free-standing, often portraying figures in a stylized manner.
  - Popular examples include the standing kouros (male nude figure), the standing kore (clothed female figure), and seated women.
- Classical Period
  - Often referred to as Greece's "Golden Age."
  - Emphasis was placed on the ideal proportion of the human form.
- Hellenistic Period
  - Sculptors focused more on conveying emotions and ideal proportions, rather than strict aesthetic beauty.
  - Common people, women, children, and animals also became subjects for sculptures.
Greek Architecture
- The Parthenon is a renowned example of Greek architecture.

Sports Officiating
- Officiating is an activity that teaches focus and presence.
Line Judge/Linesman
- A linesman or line judge calls line faults.
Scorer
- The scorer tracks the points earned during a game.
Referee/Umpire
- The referee or umpire ensures that the game is played according to the rules.
Table Officials
- Table officials record information such as lineups and final game results.