MH Entrance Exam Flashcards
Pythagoras
a. First Music Theorist
b. ratios
c. Pythagorean scale.
Lyre
Small harp, ancient greek
Doctrine of Ethos
Music effects morals
Boethius
wrote Medieval textbook, introduced 3 Cassifications:
- Musica Universalis-
- Musica Humana-harmony of human body and spiritual harmony
- Musica Instrumentalis- Instrumental music, audible/real music
Chant
Monophonic sacred music
Syllabic
Each syllable has a tone
Melismatic
Group of notes sung on one syllable
Direct
One singer or a group of singers perform the work all the way through without alterations
Responsorial
Soloist/single layer alternates with a chorus or congregation
Antiphonal
Verses sung alternately by soloist and choir or by choir and congregation
Liturgical Calendar
Determines scripture to be read, celebrations, and music in relation
Divine Office
Cycle of daily worship services other than the mass including music
Mass
Most important service in the Roman Church
Mass Proper
Parts of the mass that vary depending on the calendar day.
a. IGAOC- Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, Communion
Mass Ordinary
Parts of the Mass with invariable words, but many possible melodies.
a. KGCSA- Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
Psalmody
Singing of Psalms set to actions in the Mass, such as the introit (Entrance Procession) and Communion
Chant Theory
Modes used to classify chants and arrange them in books for liturgical use. Modes:
a. -Authentic- Range from step below final to 8 va above
i. Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian
b. Plagal- Range from a 4th or 5th to a 5th or 6th above, same names as Authentic, but with a hypo-prefix
Troubadour/Trouvéres-
a. Poet composers
b. French Aristocracy
c. Composed in 2 vernacular languages-Occitan and Old French.
Medieval Instruments
a. Vielle (fiddle)
b. Hurdy Gurdy
c. Harp, Psaltery
d. Flute
e. Trumpet
f. Pipe Organ
Cantus Firmus
Pre-existing melody used as basis of polyphonic composition
Organum
a. Polyphony of Medieval Ages,
b. one or more voice parts accompanying the cantus firmus,
c. parallel motion at a 4th, 5th, or 8 va
Notre Dame Polyphony
a. School of Polyphony in Paris in the 12th-13th century
b. best composers of organum
c. Pérotin and Léonin
d. book of organum called “Magnus Liber Organ”
Motet
a. Mainly vocal polyphonic composition
b. sacred text
c. no instruments
Ars Nova
Latest music of the Medieval period 14th century with complex rhythms and meter.
Isorhythm
a. Repeating rhythmic pattern- talea
b. in at least one voice part throughout a composition.
c. Distinctive feature of Ars Nova
Machaut
a. Medieval French poet
b. 14th century composer
c. Ars Nova
d. Developed the motet and secular song forms.
Du Fay
a. Franco- Flemish composer
b. early renaissance.
c. fauxbourdon technique
Guido of Arezzo
a. Italian music theorist of the Medieval Era, r
b. Inventor of modern music notation (staff).
c. Wrote the Micrologus
d. Guidonian hand
e. Solfege.
Josquin Des Prez
a. Central figure at the Franco-Flemish School.
b. Most famous composer between Du fay and Palestrina
c. Composed motets during Renaissance
Music Printing
a. Petrucci; is the father of music printing.
b. Time consuming method of pressing music onto paper.
c. 1501
Odhecaton
a. First collection of polyphonic music printed entirely from movable type.
b. Petrucci printed this.
Madrigal
a. Complex polyphonic unaccompanied vocal piece on a secular text
b. 16th and 17th centuries.
c. Through composed with new music for every line of poetry.
Renaissance Instruments
a. Cornett
b. Sackbut
c. Viola da gamba
d. Lute
e. Recorder
f. consorts (different size instruments)
g. crumhorns
a. Cornett
b. Sackbut
c. Viola da gamba
d. Lute
e. Recorder
f. consorts (different size instruments)
g. crumhorns
Protestant Reformation
a. Previous restrictions on sacred music taken away.
b. Psalms
c. Congregational singing- less polyphony and people sang in unison.
Giovanni Palestrina
a. Italian composer of sacred music
b. best known rep. of Roman School of Music Composition.
c. work is seen as the culmination of Renaissance polyphony
d. Pope Marcellus Mass
Figured Bass
a. Music notation
b. numerals and symbols indicate intervals,, chords, and non-chord tones played in relation to the bass note.
Basso Continuo
a. AKA Thorough Bass Notation
b. the continuo part of the music provided harmonic structure
c. Historically improvised
Baroque Instruments
a. Violin
b. Cello
c. Contrabass
d. Viola
e. Oboe d’amore
f. Baroque Flute
g. Horn
h. Trombone
i. Harpsichord
j. Clavichord