Chapter 5 - Polyphony Through the 13th Century

Question 1

Polyphony first existed mainly as a ________ _________ and __________ ___________

Answer 1

Polyphony was first an ornamental performance practice and an oral tradition

Question 2

The rise of polyphony helped shape Western music into what it is today. Name 4 ways it did this

Answer 2

• Centralized notation
• Influenced development of counterpoint
• Influenced development of harmony
• Helped the separation of the concepts of performance and composition

Question 3

What is organum?

Answer 3

The combination of two or more voices singing different notes in acceptable combinations according to certain rules

Question 4

What it parallel organum?

Answer 4

Organum where the voices move in strict parallel motion

Question 5

Describe Mixed Parallel and Oblique Organum

Answer 5

This is organum where the voices move in parallel, however the oblique motion is used sometimes to avoid unwanted dissonances.

Question 6

The principal voice _________

Answer 6

Contains the original chant

Question 7

The organal voice _________

Answer 7

Is the additional line to the original chant or the principal voice

Question 8

A new style of organum emerged in the late 11th century. Name and describe it

Answer 8

Note against note organum moves the organal voice above the principal usually, and has a freer and more important organal voice

Question 9

Aquitanian polyphony was a new style that emerged in France in the 12th century. Give two characteristics of this style

Answer 9

• More ornate than earlier styles of polyphony

- Repetory consisted largely of settings of Verses, the genre of Latin sacred monophonic songs

Question 10

What is the tenor voice?

Answer 10

In polyphony, this is the lower, principal voice of the piece

Question 11

Describe Discant Polyphony

Answer 11

This is a style of polyphony where the organal voice contains one to three notes for every note of the tenor voice and both voices move at the same rate

Question 12

Describe Florid Organum

Answer 12

This is a style of polyphony where there are multiple notes in the organal voice for every note of the tenor. The tenor voice moves much slower

Question 13

The Duplum is what?

Answer 13

The Duplum is the upper voice above the tenor

Question 14

Define Clausula

Answer 14

Coming from the word “clause” as in a sentence, these are settings of organum on single words that were self contained musical phrases that ended on a cadence

Question 15

How were substitute clausula used?

Answer 15

These were used to substitute into an existing setting a segment of the chant. They are replacement sections for organum. Most are in discant style

Question 16

Define Caudae

Answer 16

These are long melissmatic passages that occur at the beginning, end, and at cadences in polyphonic conductus

Question 17

Define Motet

Answer 17

This is a polyphonic composition that sets new words to the duplum voice of an existing clausula. Eventually secular text and topics were added and it became it’s own genre.

Question 18

Define Cantus Firmus

Answer 18

An existing melody, often taken from Gregorian chant on which a new polyphonic work is based (will be the tenor voice). This term appeared starting in the late 13th century

Question 19

Around what time was Franconian Notation developed and codified?

Answer 19

The late 13th century

Question 20

Who codified Franconian notation and in what book?

Answer 20

Franco of Cologne in his Ars Cantus Mensurabilis of ca. 1280

Question 21

Why is Franconian notation significant?

Answer 21

It uses the shapes of notes to designate rhythm, a predecessor to the system we use today

Question 22

In Franconian notation the basic time unit is called the _______

Answer 22

The basic time unit is the tempus; three tempura make up a Perfection

Question 23

In Franconian notation what is a Perfection?

Answer 23

A group of three tempura, the basic time units. A perfection is sort of like a measure of 3/ x

Question 24

When did the Normans conquer England?

Answer 24

1066

Question 25

What is a distinctive feature of English polyphony through the 13th century?

Answer 25

The use of imperfect consonances; 3rds and 6ths, often in parallel