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 Europe’s
culture and political affairs.

 -Monophonic plainchant was named after Pope

Gregory I, who made this approved music of
the Catholic church. Pope Gregory’s 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.
EXAMPLES OF MUSIC INSTRUMENT
USED IN MEDIEVAL PERIOD

Flute Lyre
Lyre Mandore

Zither
 GREGORIAN CHANT
Also known as “ Plainchant or Plainsong”
 A form of medieval church music that involves
chanting.
 Plainchant doesn’t 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
 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

Sculpture From
Ancient Egypt
 Akhenaton and Nefertiti
This painted limestone statuette depicts King
Akhenaton and Queen Nefertiti, rulers of Egypt
during the Amama period
 Khafre Enthroned
This is a seated stone figure of the Egyptian
king Khafre, from the 2500s BC.
 The Statue of Ramesses II is a 3, 200-year-old
figure. It was found at the Great Temple of Ptah
near Memphis, Egypt. It is made from red
granite
architecture From
Ancient Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are among the
most famous pieces of architecture in the world
This are almost 136m(446 ft) high and were built
without the use of cranes, pulleys, or lifting tactle.
 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. Peter’s 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.
 JOHANN 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 father’s opposition, George secretly taught himself
to play the harpsichord.
• Handel is remembered for his operas and oratorios.

• Handel became England’s favorite composer.

* Handel lost both of his eyesight in 1753 when he conducted his

oratorio, “ Samson”.
 the Messiah is Handel’s most famous creation and the very
well known “ Hallelujah” chorus is part of Handel’s Messiah.