MUSIC OF THE MEDIEVAL

PERIOD

( 700 1400)
- Medieval period is also known as the
Middle Ages or Dark Ages that started
with the fall of the Roman Empire. During
this time, the Christian church influence
Europes culture and political affairs.


-Monophonic plainchant was named after
Pope Gregory I, who made this approved
music of the Catholic church. Pope
Gregorys action made monophonic
plainchants popular.

- Although plainchant music was
originally transmitted orally, scholars
agreed to put it in notation to assist
dissemination of chants across Europe.

GREGORIAN CHANT
Also known as Plainchant or Plainsong
- A form of medieval church music that involves
chanting.
- Plainchant doesnt used any instrumental
accompaniment but instead it uses words that are
sung.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
GREGORIAN CHANT
Monophonic Music consisting of a single
melodic line without chordal accompaniment.

Free meter There is no time signature.
Free from musical time.

Modal is a series of musical notes in a defined
order with specific intervals between each pitch.

Usually based on Latin liturgy

Use of Nueme Notation system of writing
music based on notation.


* SECULAR MUSIC non- religious music.

Secular music were performed across Europe by a group
of musicians called TROUBADOURS.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TROUBADOUR MUSIC

Usually monophonic
Sometimes with improvised accompaniment
Tells of chivalry and courtly love
Originated in France




MODES OR CHURCH MODE

IONIAN Constructed from the first note of a
major scale. ( C )
Pattern of Ionian W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
( CDEFGABC)
DORIAN Constructed from the second note of
a major scale. ( D )
Pattern of Dorian W-H-W-W-W-H-W
( DEFGABCD)
PHRYGIAN Constructed from the third note of
a major scale. ( E )
Pattern of Phrygian H-W-W-W-H-W-W
( EFGABCDE)





LYDIAN Constructed from the fourth note of a major
scale. ( F )
Pattern of Lydian W-W-W-H-W-W-H
( FGABCDEF )
MIXOLYDIAN Constructed from the fifth note of a
major scale. ( G )
Pattern of Mixolydian W-W-H-W-W-H-W
( GABCDEFG)
AEOLIAN Constructed from the six note of major
scale. ( A )
Pattern of Aeolian W-H-W-W-H-W-W
( ABCDEFGA)



LOCRIAN Constructed from the seventh note of a
major scale. ( B )
Pattern of Locrian H-W-W-H-W-W-W.
( BCDEFGAB )

FAMOUS COMPOSER OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Adam de la Halle ( 1237 1288 )

- He was also known as Adam le Bossu a French-
born trouvere, poet and musician. His musical
works include chansons and Juex-partris ( Poetic
debates) in the style of trouvere, polyphonic rondel
and motets in the style of early liturgical polyphony.

- His works include:
- 1. Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion
- 2. La Chanson du rio de Sicile
MUSIC OF THE
RENAISSANCE PERIOD
( 1450 1600 )

* Renaissance comes from the word
Renaitre which means Rebirth, a secular
rebirth for men delighted with life.
* The influence of the Roman Catholic started
to decline as the new music genre arose.
Though sacred music was still of great
importance, secular music became more
prominent in the renaissance period. This
era was also known as the Acapella Choral
Music



One of the most important events during the
Renaissance was the invention of printing and
paper in 1450 and also music was an important
part in the lives of the upper and middle
classes.

* Lute was the prominent instrument of the
renaissance era.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RENAISSANCE MUSIC
Mostly polyphonic having two or more voices or
parts, each with independent melody.

Imitation of voices is common

Use of word painting and music

Melodic lines move in a flowing manner


VOCAL MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD
* Mass is a form of sacred musical composition that sets
text of the Eucharistic liturgy into music.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MASS
* Polyphonic
* Maybe sung in acapella or with orchestral
accompaniment.
* Text may be syllabic ( one note set to each syllable),
nuematic ( a few notes set to one syllable), or melismatic (
many notes to one syllable)

FIVE MAIN SECTIONS OF MASS
Kyrie ( Lord Have Mercy)
Gloria ( Glory to God in the Highest)
Credo ( I Believe in One God)
Sanctus and Benedictus ( Holy, holy
and Blessed is He)
Agnus Dei ( Lamb of God)

Madrigal a secular vocal polyphonic music composition
which originated from Italy
- it is written and expressed in a poetic text and sung
during courtly social gatherings. It is the most important
secular form during the Renassaince Period.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MADRIGAL
-Polyphonic
-Sung in Acapella
-Frequently in 3-6 voices

FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE RENAISSANCE
PERIOD
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina ( 1525 Febuary 2, 1594)
Greatestest master of Roman Catholic Church during the
Renaissance period.
Majority of his compositions are sacred music.
He was committed to sacred music and has a keen interest in
satisfying the desires of the church leaders in sixteenth
century.


* He was an organist and choir master at both
Sistine Chapel and St. Peters which may have
influenced his distinctively pure and restrained style
in musical composition.

THOMAS MORLEY ( 1557 1602 )



Morley was born in Norwich, East England.
* He was a singer in the local cathedral from his boyhood, and
he became master of choristers there in 1583.
* Morley was the famous composer of secular music in his time.
Most of his composition show a variety of color, form and
technique.



BAROQUE PERIOD

( 1600 1750 )
The word Baroque is derived from
Portuguese word Barroco which means a
Pearl with irregular shape. Some of the great
composers of this time where Friedrich
Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio
Vivaldi.
During this time, the arts highlighted
grandiose and elaborate ornamentation.
These were clearly seen in the musical
compositions by baroque composers.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BAROQUE MUSIC

- Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental
- Melodies are not easy to sing or remember
- Primarily contrapuntal
- Dynamic contrast
- Harpsichord and Organ are the keyboard
instruments that are used
HARPSICHORD CLAVICHORD
MUSIC GENRES OF BAROQUE MUSIC
Concerto a form of orchestral music that employs
a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra
Concerto Grosso a form of orchestral music
during the baroque period where in the music is
between a small group of solo instrument called
concertino and the whole orchestra called tutti.
Oratorio a large scale musical composition for
orchestra and voices that incorporates narrative on
religious themes. Unlike usual theatrical works, this
is usually performed w/o the used of costumes,
scenery or action and usually written in the native
language for the intended audience.
Chorale a musical composition that resemble
a harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the
protestant church during the baroque era.

Fugue - is a contrapuntal composition in two or
more voices, built on a subject (theme) that is
introduced at the beginning in imitation and
recurs frequently in the course of the
composition.
J OHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Born: March 21 1685, Germany Died: July 28, 1750

J. S. Bach came from a family of musicians. He was
taught to play violin by his father who was then the town
musician in Eisanach.
Bach was a religious man. His personal and deep faith is
shown in his sacred musical works. He was also known
for his compositions for organ, orchestra and oratorio.





WORKS OF SEBASTIAN BACH
Concerto Grosso
Masses
Cantatas
Fuges
Works for Clavichord and Harpsichord
ANTONIO LUCIO VIVALDI
Born: Venice, March 4, 1678 Died: July 28, 1741

Antonio Vivaldi, nicknamed Il Prete Rosso The Red
Priest because of his red hair.
He was a Italian Baroque composer, Catholic priest and a
Virtuoso violinist.
Vivaldi is know mainly for composing instrumental
concertos especially for the violin as well as choral works
over forty operas.
Vivaldi is well known for giving the string a major role in
his composition.
His famous piece is the four seasons. This composition
is a series of four violin concerti depicting each of the
season Spring , Summer, Autumn and Winter.
GOERGE FRIEDRICH HANDEL
Born: Germany, February 23, 1685
Died: London, April 14, 1759

* George Handel was the second son from the marriage of a
pastor. Despite of his fathers opposition, George secretly
taught himself to play the harpsichord.
Handel is remembered for his operas and oratorios.
Handel became Englands favorite composer.

* Handel lost both of his eyesight in 1753 when he conducted
his oratorio, Samson.

the Messiah is Handels most famous creation and the
very well known Hallelujah chorus is part of Handels
Messiah.