Unit Summary
Medieval Music
The time included in the Medieval period (500-1450 C.E.) is far greater than that in any other period. Beginning with the Renaissance, and continuing to today, the Middle Ages has been perceived as a period of stagnation. In fact, it was a period of great change. Consequently, one can make very few statements about this period that are valid for the entire era. We begin the study of European music with the Medieval era because we can trace a period of unbroken activity and development, beginning with
the development of chant.
Major Developments
- Gradual development and standardization of Gregorian chant throughout Western Europe
- Although sacred music was preeminent, secular song traditions did emerge (1100-1300)
- Troubadours (northern France)
- Trouvères (southern France)
- Minnesänger (Germany)
- Instrumental music played a secondary role as accompaniment to song or dance
- Polyphony developed from improvised practice sometime during the 9th century
- Notre Dame Organum marked an important next step in the development of polyphony
- Developed in late 12th century
- More than one voice added to the plainchant
- Relationship of the voices was controlled by the rhythmic modes
- Polyphonic sacred composition concentrated on the Mass
Ordinary during the later Medieval Era.
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Credo
- Sanctus
- Agnus Dei
- Ars Nova was an important late development that opened the way to the Renaissance
- Duple rhythm
- More complex rhythmic relationships
- The late Medieval period includes increased cultivation of polyphonic secular forms
- Music notation developed in response to the evolution of musical styles
Medieval Instruments to know by sight and sound
- Wind instruments
- shawm
- flutes (various types)
- bagpipe
- Bowed Strings
- Keyboard instruments
- organ (positive and portative)
- Plucked Strings
- Percussion
- drums
- cymbals
- bells of various kinds
Some important composers
- Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) one of the earliest identified composers of chant
- Léonin (fl. 1163-1190) first important figure in Notre Dame polyphony
- Pérotin (fl. ca. 1200) successor to Léonin at Notre Dame
- Guillaume de Machaut (ca. 1300-1377) pre-eminent master of late Medieval polyphony
- John Dunstable (ca. 1390-1453) English master of the late Medieval era
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