Medieval Definitions Flashcards
Describe the “texture” of Middle Ages musical style
evolved from a single-line, to increasingly complex, multi-voiced compositions
describe the “notation” of Middle Ages musical style
from NEUMES attempting to record chant melodies, a system evolved that made it possible to represent both pitches and rhythmic values
describe the melodic range of Middle Ages musical style
narrow range, gradually evolved and writing became more complex, range increased
describe the rhythm of Middle Ages musical style
flexible, unmeasured rhythm of plainchant, gradually became more structured
monophonic texture
music consisting of a single voice or melodic line, no harmony or accompaniment
polyphonic texture
two or more independent melodic lines or voices heard simultaneous (contrapuntal texture)
modes
scale patterns distinguished by their own unique order of tones and semitones, referred to by their original greek name (ie Dorian, phyrgian, etc.)
used for melodies in middle ages and renaissance
neumes
earliest form of notation in western music which used small symbols with no stems to indicate the direction of the melodic line. Later evolved to shapes on a staff representing specific pitches
ie. Haec dies
a cappella
vocal music without instrumental accompaniment.
latin for “in the chapel”
plainchant (plainsong)
monophonic texture, modal melodies, narrow range and unmeasured prose rhythm
Gregorian Chant
singe line melody (monophonic texture)
(a plainchant from the time period of pope Gregory)
modal, based on sacred latin texts, sung freely following the inflections of the text
countertenor
high male voice with a strong, pure tone, out of normal male range
what are the 3 text settings
syllabic: one note for each syllable
neumatic: several notes (2-4) for each syllable
melisma tic: many notes for each syllable, very elaborate
responsorial singing
performance method where solo voice alternates chorus
Organum
earliest form of polyphony. Began as an improvised practice.
original text referred to as “cantus firmus”. New melodic lines added but initially maintained primary intervals between voices
cantus firmus
“fixed song”, material borrowed from a Gregorian chant creating the foundation for a new polyphonic composition.
originally in the lowest voice
tenor
“to hold”, refers to the voice that contains the cantus firmus, as it is “held” underneath the other voices
organal style
a style of free organum where the newly composed upper voice uses faster note values and the original chant is sung by the lower voice in very long notes.
discant style
sections of the organum in which the original chant has father rhythmic values so it is more closely related to the upper voice
clausula
clearly defined sections without discant style organum that is highly melismatic
rhythmic modes
rhythmic patterns of long and short notes
which piece is a Gregorian Chant
Haec Dies (anonymous), early middle ages
Which piece is an organum
Haec Dies organum (anonymous), ca. 1175
Polytextual Motet
a vocal composition without accompaniment (a capella)
usually 3 voices, and at least 2 texts. (new texts added to the upper voices of organum)
often used secular texts along sacred, and mixed languages
bottom voice contains cantus firmus, upper voices more rhythmically active
ostinato
a rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated
countertenor
a high male voice with a pure tone
which piece is a polytextual motet?
O mitissima/Virgo/Haec Dies (13th century)
Monophonic Chanson
“song” of monophonic texture, usually in strophic form. if instrumental accompaniment was added it was often improvised.
Grew from troubadour/trouvere tradition, texts often reflected love
strophic
same music for each verse of the poem
trouvere
Northern France –aristocratic poet-musicians who composed and performed original poems and songs, often sang of love
troubadour
Southern France–aristocratic poet-musicians who composed and performed original poems and songs, often sang of love
jongleurs
medieval entertainers, worked as court jesters, musicians, storytellers
minnesinger
german for “singers of love”, german counterpart of troubadours/trouveres
which piece is a monophonic chanson?
ce fut en mai (d’Arras), mid 13th century
Polyphonic chanson
French, secular, lyric-driven song of polyphonic texture
rondeau
a poetic form usedin polyphonic chansons, 4 verses, 4 refrains. AB aAab AB
Musica ficta
“false music” a performance practice where performers raised or lowered pitches y chromatic semitones to avoid undesirable intervals
isorhythm
“equal rhythm” combines melodic patterns (color) with rhythmic patterns (talea)
hocket
French for “hiccup” where a melodic line is split between two voices and each voice alternates between notes and rests
common in Ars Nova style
which piece is a polyphonic chanson
puis qu’en oubli (Machaut), mid 14th century
Dance Music
earliest form of instrumental music, for social dance such as estampie, saltarello, and ronde
modal melodies, improvised accompaniment, monophonic texture
first notated examples from 13th century
name 3 exampels of medlieval dance styles
estampie, ronde, saltarello
estampie
one of the earliest medieval dances, of a stately character involving elaborate body movemets, danced by a couple
heterophonic texture
same melody played with a variation at the same time as the original.
requires two or more voices. added voices often improvised
Lute
indoor string instrument, like a guitar but more strings
psaltery
indoor string instrument, trapezoidal, plucked or bowed
rebec
indoor string instrument, pear shape
vielle
indoor string instrument, figure 8 shape, ancestor of violin
dulcimer
indoor string/percussion instrument of various shapes
recorder
indoor wind instrument
cornetto
outdoor wind instrument, later made of wood, long slender shape, ancestor of trumpet
crumhorn
outdoor wind instrument, j shaped
sakbut
outdoor wind instrument, made of brass, slides, has bell shaped end
ancestor of trombone
shawm
outdoor wind instrument, long with bell shaped end, double reed
ancestor of the oboe
portative
keyboard instrument, with pipes and a pumped bellow
aka organetto
positive
keyboard instrument, portable but larger than the portative, like a piece of furniture.
one keyboard, small pipes, no pedals
regal
keyboard instrument, portable organ, small keyboard, reeds instead of pipes
ancestor of the harmonium
player pumped bellows while playing
Nakers
percussion instrument, resembles small kettle drums/bongos, played in pairs, unpitched
tabor
outdoor percussion instrument, large, cylindrical
tambourine
percussion instrument, wooden frame with small metal discs inserted, may or may not have drum skin
Gradual
the fourth section of the Mass Proper (variable)
texts primarily from the psalms
chants in this portion usually melismatic and performed in a responsorial style
ie. Haec Dies
organum
parallel organum
the earliest form of polyphony
when an additional vocal line mves in parallel motion above or below a pre-existing chant at the interval of a P4 or P5
motet
a vocal composition with or without instrumental accompaniment, secular or sacred, usually anon and polytextual
drone
a sustained pitch or long held note, provides harmonic support
