Chapter 8 Flashcards
Europe entered the Dark Ages after…
The fall of Rome
Characteristics of the Dark Ages
Drought followed by flood, famine and disease, religious and political differences
Thriving arts in the medieval period
Paintings, Sculptures, Gothic Architecture, Music, Stained Glass, Frescoes
The most famous frescoe
The Sistine Chapel
Adaptations of the Church
Daily Prayer Hours, Singing of Psalms, Chanting parts of Liturgy
Medieval melodies were based on….
Modes
Characteristics of chant
Simple melodies, natural rhythms for text, performed in unison, acapella
Other names for chant
1) Plainsong
2) Plainchant
Chant reached peak of popularity by…
6th century
Who organized all chant?
Pope Gregory I
Gregorian Chant
Types of Chant
1) Syllabic Chant - One Note per syllable
2) Melismatic Chant - Many notes per syllable
Chant evolved into polyphony
1) 9th cen. Monks used chant
2) monks added parallel melody
3) monks changed some notes in added melody
4) second melody was altered until independent
Early form of polyphony
Organum
The first accompaniment (a low, long tone)
Drone
As more melodies were added, organum pieces became…
Motets
Little secular music has survived because…
1) Improvised
2) Short Lived
Characteristics of secular motets
1) Mixed religious and secular texts
2) Multiple languages in one song
3) Unusual combinations of voices and instruments
Secular Motets
Southern France: Troubador
Northern France: Trouveres
Minstrels
People hired to write and perform motets
Other names for minstrels
Germany:
Popular Music in 12th and 13th Cen. England
Major and Minor Sounds, Circular Canons, Ostinatos
Ostinato
A motive that is repeated over and over
Vielle
Ancestor to Violin
First period that we have extensive musical knowledge from
The medieval period
Psaltery
String instrument anyone could play
