Middle Ages

Question 1

monophonic texture

Answer 1

• “mono” means one
• music consisting of a single line of melody (referred to as a “voice”)
• no harmony or accompaniment

Question 2

polyphonic texture

Answer 2

• “poly” means many
• two or more independent melodic lines (or voices) heard simultaneously
• referred to as contrapuntal texture

Question 3

modes

Answer 3

• scale patterns distinguished by their unique order of half steps and whole steps
• served as the source for melodies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
• generally referred to by their original Greek names (Dorian, Phrygian, etc.)

Question 4

neumes

Answer 4

• the earliest form of notation in Western art music
• small notational symbols - originally indicating the direction of the melodic line
• later in the shape of squares or diamonds positioned on a staff and representing specific pitches

Question 5

a cappella

Answer 5

• Latin for “in the chapel”
• vocal music without instrumental accompaniment
• characteristic feature of vocal music in Middle Ages and Renaissance

Question 6

plainchant

Answer 6

• sometimes called “plainsong”
• monophonic texture
• modal melodies
• relatively narrow melodic range
• unmeasured prose rhythm

Question 7

Gregorian chant

Answer 7

• a form of plainchant
• sacred, liturgical music of the Roman Catholic Church, generally with Latin texts
• modal, monophonic melodies with unmeasured rhythm
• named after Pope Gregory the Great

Question 8

syllabic text setting

Answer 8

• one note for a single syllable of text

- text can be clearly understood

Question 9

neumatic text setting

Answer 9

• several notes (two to four) for a single syllable of text

Question 10

responsorial singing

Answer 10

• a method of performance
• solo voice alternates with chorus
• solo passages referred to as “verse”
• choral passages referred to as “respond”

Question 11

melismatic text setting

Answer 11

• many notes for a single syllable of text

- the most elaborate and florid form of text setting

Question 12

Mass

Answer 12

• the most important service in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church
• includes prayers, readings from the Bible, and a reenactment of the Last Supper, referred to as the Eucharist or Holy Communion
• consists of texts that are variable according to the church calendar (Proper) and texts that remain the same (Ordinary)
• became an important genre, particularly during the Renaissance era

Question 13

Mass Proper

Answer 13

• changing, variable prayers of the Mass
• linked to church calendar
• sections include: Gradual, Introit, Communion, Alleluia

Question 14

gradual

Answer 14

• the fourth section of the Mass Proper (variable texts)
• texts of the gradual are based primarily on the Psalms (poetic texts from the Old Testament)
• generally melismatic and performed in a responsorial style

Question 15

Elements of Musical Style in the Middle Ages
Texture
Notation
Melodic Range
Rhythm

Answer 15

Texture - music evolved from a single-lined texture (monophony) to more complex, multivoiced works (polyphony).
Notation - The Middle Ages witnessed the development of a system of notation that still exists today.
Melodic Range - a relatively narrow range
Rhythm - the evolution of rhythm coincides with the development of notation and the emergence of polyphony. The flexible, unmeasured rhythm associated with plainchant gave way to a more structured approach.

Question 16

When did the Middle Ages take place?

Answer 16

ca 476 - ca 1450

Question 17

What specific periods was the Middle Ages divided into?

Answer 17

Early Christian, Romanesque and Gothic

Question 18

Why was the Middle Ages known as the “Dark Ages”?

Answer 18

It was associated with plagues, lawlessness, religious conflicts, constant wars and repressive feudal societies

Question 19

What developments took place in the Middle Ages?

Answer 19

rise of polyphony, continuing advancements in notation, poets and writers could express themselves in their “home” languages.

Question 20

What was music’s primary function in the Middle Ages?

Answer 20

• to enhance the church services (sacred genres) and to celebrate life in society through song and dance (secular genres)

Question 21

Describe the background and origin of Gregorian chant?

Answer 21

• evolved from the Hebrew chant tradition
• served as functional music in the worship services of the Roman Catholic Church
• originally passed down orally, among the earliest forms of notated music in Western tradition
• organized and codified during the papal reign of Pope Gregory the Great
• used as the basis for many new compositions during the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Question 22

Who was Pope Gregory I?

Answer 22

• also known as Pope Gregory the Great
• leader of the Roman Catholic church from 590-604
• he organized and codified the chants that had accumulated, leading to the establishment of a uniform liturgical service
• he oversaw the expansion of schools to train singers in performance of sacred repertoire (schola cantorum)

Question 23

What term is used to refer to a large body of chants from many different regions and traditions

Answer 23

plainchant and plainsong

Question 24

What is the Haec dies?

Answer 24

• It is a Gregorian chant
• the composer is anonymous
• written in the early Middle Ages
• The mass component comes from the Gradual Mass for Easter Day
• Source of text is from 118:1/24, Old Testament
• Sung in Latin
• Performed by soloist and chorus
• Texture is monophonic

Question 25

Describe the music of the Haec dies?

Answer 25

• monophonic texture
• melody is based on the Dorian mode
• Responsorial performance: solo voice (Haec dies), chorus (quam fecit), solo voice (confitemini) and chorus (eius)
• unmeasured rhythm, no barlines or note values, but follows the natural flow of the text (known as prose rhythm)
• melismatic text setting on key words “Haec”, “Dominus”, “exsultemus”, “quoniam”
• conveys the joyful message of the feast of Easter
• melodic range extends to a 9th (wider than many chants)
• reflects the meaning of the text and the importance of the day
• melody moves by step & narrow leap; many melodic 3rds, some 4ths & 5ths

Question 26

What is the Liber Usualis?

Answer 26

• Book of Common Use)
• an important source containing music and text of many chants used in the Roman Catholic services
• collection was compiled in the late 19th century by the Benedictine monks of France
• consists of almost 2000 pages containing settings of the Mass Ordinary and chants for specific rituals

Question 27

Who made this statement?
“Every element has a sound, an original sound from the order of God; all those sounds unite like the harmony from harps and zithers”.

Answer 27

Hildegard von Bingen

Question 28

Who was Hildegard von Bingen?

Answer 28

• 1098 - 1179
• inspired religious leader, writer and composer
• raised in a convent
• known for her mystic visions and prophesies
• remembered as one of the most amazing woman of the Middle Ages
• she composed original poetry and music and created a new genre - the morality play

Question 29

What is the Ordo virtutum?

Answer 29

• longest and best-known work by Hildegard von Bingen
• translated as “Play of Virtues”
• allegorical morality play or sacred drama
• contains 82 original monophonic melodies
• work was written to teach Christian values to an illiterate audience
• the allegorical characters include the Virtues: Humility, Hope, Charity and Discipline