Middle Ages Flashcards
3 main classes of melodies in the Middle Ages.
Syllabic - one note each syllable
Neumatic - 2-4 notes each syllable
Melismatic - single syllable of text over long group of notes
Describe the Gregorian Chant.
Single-line melody Monophonic Lacked counterpoint/harmony Free from regular rhythms/accents Flowed freely around Latin text Gentle rise and fall Neumes
5 prayers of the Mass Ordinary.
Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
Describe the significance of Hildegard Bingen.
Was a famous prophet, wrote sacred literature and music, wrote “The Play of the Virtues” - musical style highly original, morality play
Describe the significance of the Notre Dame School.
Created polyphony (use of regular meters, different voices)
Improvisation and oral tradition progressed and preserved
Earliest form of polyphony - Organum
Second voice added to Gregorian chant 4th/5th above/below plainchant (given melody)
Leonin added second voice
Perotin added 3-4 voices
Describe the 13th century motet/poly textual motet and it’s significance.
New texts to previously textless upper voices of organum
Could be sacred or secular
Perotin wrote 3-4 voices
Fragments of Gregorian chants given precise rhythmic values
Describe Secular Music (eg. Monophonic Chanson) in the Middle Ages.
Songs consisting of monophonic melodies
Pitches only written down (no rhythmic)
Performed by Trouveres (aristocratic poet/musicians from Northern France)
Age of chivalry - valour, honour, noble character, perfect love exalted
Common theme was unrequited love, lover lower rank
Instrumental accompaniments improvised
Who was Moniot d’Arras?
Wrote “Ce fut en mai” (Trouvere Song)
Monk in abbey of St. Vaast, work marked end of trouvere tradition
What are some details of “Ce fut en mai”? Include plot and musical stylistic features.
13th century
Genre: Tourvere Song, Chanson
Form: Strophic
Lonely man who spies on lady and knight, tells sad tale and lovers comfort/pray for his happiness
Music folklike/charming, unlike text
Monophonic,single line melody with improvised accompaniment
5 verses, elaborate rhyming scheme (2 short sections, each being repeated
Same melody each verse, instrumental interlude between stanzas
Musical refrain set up, repetition of 1 or 2 lines at end of each verse, intimate interaction
Describe characteristics of O mitissima.
3 part polyphony built on bottom voice Tenor
Tenor - repeats rhythmic pattern based on notes of chant (long long short long)
Contains OSTINATO (repetition of musical pattern)
Upper 2 lines crossed each other, similar rhythm of long/short notes
Motet triple meter, symbolized Holy Trinity
Opening/closing and cadences based on fifths and octaves
Who is Phillip de Vitry?
First to incorporate changes in notation and rhythm, gave more variety to music
Created famous treatise called “Ars Nova” (14th century)
- Advocated acceptance of rhythmic innovations, included duple subdivision of beat
- Represented high point of Middle Age music, foreshadowed changes to come in Renaissance
Religious to secular
What is the Polyphonic Chanson?
Four+ independent voices equal in melodic importance
Lowest voice acted as harmonic support to those above
Abandoned contrapuntal texture of slow moving tenor line
What are the three fixed forms of polyphonic chanson?
Virelai
Ballade
Rondeau
Who is Guillaume de Machault?
French composer-poet, secretary to JOhn of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia, active in court of Charles the Duke of Normandy
Double career led to write both religious and secular music
Developed the polyphonic chanson, added greater variety/flexibility of rhythm
Developed Isorhythm (repeating of pitch and rhythmic patterns of different lengths in one/more voices)
Describe “Puis qu’en oubli”
Guillaume de Machaut
Genre: Polyphonic Chanson
Form: Rondeau
3 voices with refrain echoing the pain of unrequited love
Acapella with rich musical texture
Harmony dissonant with major seconds, voices singing separated by an eighth note, rhythm disjointed
Musica ficta altered harmony
