Chapter 2 - The Christian Church in the First Millennium Flashcards
What was the Edict of Milan? When was it issued and by who?
The Edict of Milan was a proclamation that legalized Christianity in the Roman empire, in 313 AD by Constantine I
Which Roman emperor made Christianity the state religion of Rome and when?
Emperor Theodocius I in 392
Define Psalm
Poems of praise from the Hebrew book of psalms
What is Cantillation?
The chanting of sacred texts by a solo singer
As the Christian community grew in the late 4th century, worshipers began to construct and gather in large rectangular buildings called _______.
Basilicas
In early Christian services, how were prayers and texts recited?
They were recited via chant, which aided in filling the large hall of the Basilica
What was the early church’s view on music?
Music was the servant of religion. It was encouraged for its ability to praise God and instill devout thoughts in the listener, however performing and listening for pleasure was frowned upon.
They believed beautiful things, including music, existed to remind us of divine beauty.
Why did the early church disapprove of instrumental music?
This was because they believed music without words could not open the mind to holy thoughts and teachings
For over a thousand years, the Christian musical tradition existed almost entirely of _________ _________
Unaccompanied singing
When was the Roman empire split in two?
395 AD
When did the Western Roman empire collapse?
476 AD
What significant event happened in 1054 and why?
The Christian church split into two sects, the Roman Catholics in the west, and the Byzantine Church in the east due to differences in theology, language, and governance.
As the Christian church grew and diversified, each region developed its own rite or customs and procedures. What does the rite consist of?
It consists of a church calendar, liturgy, and repertory of chant
What is meant by liturgy?
This is the collection of sacred texts and rituals that the church uses in it’s rites.
Each regional flavor of the church used it’s own particular repertory of chant. What are these regional variations on the repertoire called?
Chant Dialects
What is chant?
Unison song with melodies for the prescribed texts
Ambrosian chant belongs to which rite?
The Milanese rite
Describe how the Roman catholic church used chant for political gains
The Roman Catholic church exported its liturgy and chant to Frankish kingdoms in the north that it had made alliances with. With the help of these northern kings, the Roman rites were adopted and the hodgepodge of regional chants and liturgy were assimilated thus consolidating the western church and Roman power.
Which pope initiated the standardization of western chant repertories and liturgy and when?
Pope Stephen II from the middle 8th to the beginning of the 9th centuries
Who is Gregorian chant named after?
Pope Gregory I, despite the repertory being codified more than 150 years later under pope Stephen II
What are neumes?
These are an early form of notation that indicate things such as repetition of notes, the melodic gesture, ascending or descending lines, etc, but not exact rhythm or notes.
Who suggested an early form of the staff for use with heightened neumes?
The monk Guido of Arezzo (ca. 991-1033)
How are heightened neumes an improvement over the older form and when did they start to be used?
Heightened neumes indicate relative size and direction of intervals, and they began to be used in the 10th and 11th centuries
Who was the most important writer on music during middle ages and when did he live? What was he influenced by?
The Italian, Boethius (ca. 480-ca. 524). His views and writings were heavily influenced and often directly quoted Greek thoughts on music.
When referring to modes, what is the final?
The final is the main note in the mode, and usually the last note in the melody.
What is an authentic mode?
A mode in which the range spans a whole step below the final to an octave above it
What is a plagal mode?
A mode in which the range spans a fourth or 5th below the final to a 5th or 6th above it
Authentic and plagel modes share what in common?
The final
What is the reciting tone?
The note that is most prominent or frequent in a piece in one of the church modes
Who invented solfege and why?
Guido of Arezzo; to aid in sight-singing
In music we consider the medieval period to be when?
From 800-1400
