Early Polyphony

Question 1

Define:

• Organum Duplum
• Organum Purum
• Duplum
• Tenor
• Discant
• Copula

Answer 1

• Organum Duplum: two-voice polyphony (one plainchant, one drone)
• Organum purum: style of extended melismatic material in free rhythm
• Duplum: organal voice part
• Tenor: other part
• Discant: style of rhythmic vitality
• Copula: polyphonic texture (discant) but using rhythmic modes

Question 2

What were Leonin and Perotin’s main innovations?

Answer 2

• Notating organa in Magnus Liber Organi
• Their main innovation was the introduction of 8 specific rhythmic modes
• Introduced concept of consonance/dissonance: 8ve, 5th and unison are consonant
• Dissonance exploited before moments of consonance e.g. 7th intervals
• Material generally motivic to bring structure

Question 3

How does the Florence Manuscript demonstrate examples of the tragectory of Medieval vocal polyphony?

Answer 3

• Part of Magnus Liber Organi
• Viderunt Omnes – uses corresponding plainchant melody over tenor
• Viderunt Omnes setting of dominus – good example to showcase style: rhythmic complexity of modes + tenor part alternates between 6 and 4-note phrase against the melodic material of upper voice.
• Later in manuscript, we see 3 and 4-part organa.
• 4-part Viderunt Omnes: keeps drone-figure from 2-part but upper parts more consistently rhythmically vital. Also builds tension before cadences with increased rhythmic activity too (as well as dissonance)

Question 4

What are Clausulae?

Answer 4

• Based off melismatic material from organa
• Clear structure of melismas (e.g. dominus) allowed this
• Lower voice sings through the melisma while upper mixes rhythmic patterns into a structure.
• Clausulae therefore probably arose at the same time as polyphony – difficult to separate them with organa.