Medieval Works

Question 1

an anonymous Gregorian chant from the middle ages

Answer 1

Haec Dies

Question 2

Haec Dies

1. language?
2. performing forces?
3. where can it be found?
4. texture?
5. text setting?
6. rhythm?
7. mode?

Answer 2

1. Latin
2. soloist and unison choir, a capella, responsorial singing
3. found in the Liber usualis
4. monophonic texture
5. melismatic text setting, many notes for one syllable, example “Haec”
6. no bar lines or note values, sung with a natural flow of the text
7. Dorian

Question 3

Haec dies - text summary

Answer 3

gives thanks to the lord for the day he has given.

Question 4

Haec Dies (organum)

1. texture and performing forces?
2. composer?
3. date and language?

Answer 4

1. Polyphonic, 2 voices, soloist and choir
2. anonymous, in the style of Leonin
3. 1175, Latin

Question 5

a polyphonic composition by an anonymous composer

Answer 5

Haec Dies (organum)

Question 6

describe the different voices in the Haec Dies organum

Answer 6

the lower voice (tenor) sings the cantus firmus, drawn from the original Haec Dies Gregorian Chant
the upper voice is newly composed, and more rhythmically active (discant style)

Question 7

a polytextual motet from the 13th century

Answer 7

O mitissima/Virgo/Haec Dies

Question 8

O mitissima/Virgo/Haec Dies

1. Cantus firmus?
2. texture?
3. describe the texts
4. text settings?

Answer 8

1. Haec Dies
2. polyphonic, 3 voices
3. all are Latin, besides haec dies, the other 2 texts come from poems which praise the virgin Mary
4. upper voices= syllabic, tenor=melismatic

Question 9

a monophonic chanson from the 13th century

Answer 9

Ce fut en main - D’arras

Question 10

Ce fut en Mai

1. composer?
2. date?
3. source of text?
4. texture?
5. performing forces?
6. form?

Answer 10

1. D’Arras
2. mid 13th century
3. secular poem in Old French
4. monophonic
5. solo singer, possibly with improvised accompaniment
6. strophic

Question 11

ce fut en mai, text summary

Answer 11

the narrator observes a knight courting his lady friend in a castle garden. this causes him to reflect with sadness on his own lost love, but the couple approaches him and extends the wish tht he find solace in nprayer

Question 12

Ce fut en mai

describe the relaltionship between the music and the text

Answer 12

the words are touching and poignant, but the music is lilting and joyful, therefore there is no relationship

Question 13

name a polyphonic chanson

Answer 13

Puis qu’en oubli - Machaut

Question 14

puis qu’en oubli

1. composer?
2. source of text?
3. language?
4. texture?
5. text setting used?

Answer 14

1. Machaut
2. secular poem by Machaut
3. old French
4. polyphonic, 3 voices
5. syllabic andneumatic

Question 15

puis qu’en oubli

list 3 features

Answer 15

• all three parts are newly composed
• a wide variety of intervals are used
• the rondeau structure causes repetition in music and text

Question 16

which work is an example of Dance Music?

Answer 16

Royal Estampie no. 4

Question 17

Royal estampie no. 4

1. composer?
2. date?
3. where can it be found?
4. texture?
5. mode?
6. form?

Answer 17

1. anonymous
2. 13th century
3. Chansonnier de Roy
4. monophonic with improvised accompaniment, performed by variable instruments
5. Dorian mode
6. sectional with open and closed endings

Question 18

describe the form of royal estampie no. 4

Answer 18

sectional with open and closed endings. this allows for flexibility in the length of the dance.
the musicians may also add embellishments on the repeats.