Music of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods

also known as fixed song or a pre-existing melody which forms the basis of polyphonic composition.

is the singing of one syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession.

music consisting of a single melodic line without chordal accompaniment; It is the oldest type of music.

symbols representing one to four notes used as notation during the Medieval Period.

music consisting of several (two or more) melodic lines, each having individual significance and independence.

music that was specifically written for use in religious services.

music that was composed for purposes rather than religious.

each syllable of text is matched with one note.

songs in which there is new music to each stanza; the opposite of strophic.

system where the musical piece is based on a key center.

Medieval Era, Renaissance Period and Baroque Period.

type of music from the Medieval Era which was mainly used in the Early Christian Church.

is the distinctive characteristic of Renaissance Music.

is characterized by grand and elaborate ornamentation of sculptures, theaters, arts and music.

the Concerto, the Fugue, the Chorale and the Oratorio

is also known as Middle Ages or Dark Ages that started with the fall of Roman Empire.
secular music which was not bound by Catholic traditions emerged.

was named after Pope Gregory I, who made this the approved music of the Catholic Church.

Monophonic
Free meter
Modal
Usually based on Latin liturgy
Use of Neume notation

secular music which was not bound by Catholic traditions emerged. most of these songs were performed across Europe by these groups of musicians.

Usually monophonic
Sometimes with improvised instruments
Tells of chivalry and courtly love
Originated in France
Written in the French Language

Adam de la Halle

-was also known as Adam le Bossu (Adam the Hunchback)
-one of the oldest secular composers whose literary and musical works include chansons and poetic debates.

poetic debates

a musical play that was considered the earliest surviving secular French play with music.

Jeu de Robin et de Marion
La Chanson du roi de Sicile

comes from the word renaitre.
the period of looking back to the golden age of Greece and Rome.

rebirth, revival and rediscovery.

Mostly polyphonic
Imitation among the voices is common
Use of word painting in texts and music
Melodic lines move in flowing manner
Melodies are easier to perform

Mass
Madrigal

is a form of sacred musical composition that sets text of the Eucharistic liturgy into music.

-Polyphonic
-May be sung in a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment
-Text may be syllabic, neume or melismatic.

one note set to each syllable.

a few notes set to one syllable.

many notes to one syllable.

Kyrie – “Lord Have Mercy”
Gloria – “Glory to God in the Highest”
Credo – “Apostle’s Creed” and “Nicean’s Creed”
Sanctus and Benedictus – “Holy, Holy” and “Blessed is He”
Agnus Dei – “The Lamb of God”

“Lord Have Mercy”

“Glory to God in the Highest”

“Apostle’s Creed” and “Nicean’s Creed”

“Holy, Holy” and “Blessed is He”

“The Lamb of God”

a secular vocal polyphonic music composition which originated from Italy.

Polyphonic
Sung a cappella
Through-composed
Frequently in 3 to 6 voices

Giovanni PierLuigi da Palestrina
Thomas Morley

is said to be the greatest master of the Roman Catholic music during the Renaissance Period.
-Masses (first book)

-Morley, the son of the brewer was born in Norwich, East England.
-was the most famous composer of secular music in his time.
-His Musica Transalpina, a collection of Italian madrigals fitted with English text, was published in 1588 by Nicholas Yonge.

“Fire, Fire, My Heart”
“Sing and Chant it”
“Fantasie”
“April is in my mistress’ face”
“It was a lover and his lass”

During this time, the arts highlighted grandiose and elaborate ornamentation.

is derived from the word barroco which means “pearl of irregular shape.”

George Friedrich Handel
Johann Sebastian Bach
Claudio Monteverdi
Antonio Vivaldi

Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental
melodies are not easy to sing or remember
primarily contrapuntal textures with some homophony
Dynamic contrast – alteration between loud and soft
Music Genres – operas, oratorios, suites, tocattas, concerto grosso, fugue
Orchestra consists of strings and continuo
Hapsichord and organ are the keyboard instruments that are commonly used
New Forms : binary – AB, ternary – ABC, ground bass and fugue

alteration between loud and soft

peras, oratorios, suites, tocattas, concerto grosso, fugue

are the keyboard instruments that are commonly used in Baroque music.

binary – AB
ternary – ABC
ground bass
fugue

Concerto
Concerto Grossso

a form of orchestral music that employs a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.

a form of orchestral music during Baroque Music Period wherein the music is between small group of solo instruments called concertino and the whole orchestra called tutti.

small group of solo instruments

whole orchestra

Germany, March 21 1685 – July 28, 1750
came from a family of musicians
Eisanach – town of musicians where they lived.
started playing violin at 7

Concerto Grosso – Brandenburg Concertos (concerto grosso)
Masses – Mass in B minor
Cantatas – Cantata 208 and 211
Fugues – Fugue in G minor
Tocatta and Fugue in D minor
Works for clavichord and hapsichord – Well Tempered Clavier ( one of his more well-known keyboard improvisations)

-Vienna, March 4, 1678 – July 28, 1741
-nicknamed il Prete Rosso (“The Red Priest”) because of his red hair
-Italian
-composed Four Seasons
(Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter)

Germanym February 23, 1685 – London, April 14, 1759
was the second son from the second marriage of a pastor.
taught himself how to play hapsichord
England’s favorite composer

“Messiah”
“Samson”

-written by Handel within 24 days in London and performed it in Dublin
-most famous work of Handel which has the chorus “Hallelujah”