Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Music

Music of the Medieval Period (700 – 1400)

• Known as the Middle Ages or "Dark Ages," following the fall of the Roman Empire.
• The Christian Church played a crucial role in shaping culture and politics.
• Gregorian Chant, named after Pope Gregory I, was the official music of the Catholic Church.
• Monophonic plainchant was initially transmitted orally before being notated for wider dissemination.

Characteristics of Gregorian Chants

• Monophonic texture

• Free meter, allowing for flexibility in rhythm

• Modal tonalities, focusing on church modes

• Primarily based on Latin liturgy

• Notated using Neume notation

• Secular music emerged later, performed by Troubadours, highlighting themes of chivalry and love.

Troubadour Music

• Usually monophonic, sometimes with improvised accompaniment
• Originated in France and sung in the French language

Famous Composer: Adam de la Halle

• Lived from 1237 to 1288 in France.
• Also known as Adam le Bossu (Adam the Hunchback).
• Received education at Cistercian Abbey of Vaucelles; intended for church but married instead.
• Wrote chansons and jeux-partis (poetic debates), and early polyphonic works.

Music of the Renaissance Period (1400-1600)

• "Renaissance" means "rebirth," emphasizing revival of classical culture from Greece and Rome.
• The invention of printing in the 1400s facilitated the wider distribution of music.
• Emergence of a bourgeois class led to music becoming popular entertainment.
• The lute emerged as a prominent instrument during this time.
• Decline of dominance of the Roman Catholic Church in music, with an increase in secular compositions.

Characteristics of Renaissance Music

• Primarily polyphonic with imitative textures among voices
• Use of word painting, where the music reflects the text's meaning
• Flowing melodic lines, often easier to perform due to scale movement

Vocal Music: The Mass

• A sacred composition setting the texts of the Eucharistic liturgy to music.

Characteristics of the Mass

• Polyphonic in style
• Can be performed a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment
• Text setting may be syllabic, neumatic, or melismatic.

Five Main Sections of the Mass

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

Madrigal

• A secular vocal polyphonic composition that originated in Italy.
• Expressed through poetic texts and performed during social gatherings.

Characteristics of the Madrigal

• Polyphonic and often sung a cappella
• Through-composed structure
• Typically composed for 3 to 6 voices