Music of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Period

MUSIC OF MEDIEVAL,RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE PERIOD
Music of medieval Period:

The 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 influenced Europe’s culture and political
affairs.Monophonic plainchant was named after Pope Gregory I, who made this the approved music of
the Catholic church.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GREGORIAN CHANTS:
1.Monophonic- melody without accompanying harmony. This may be realized as just one note at a time.
2. Free meter- Usually based on Latin liturgy.
3.Use of Neume Notation
-basic element of Western and Eastern systems of musical notation prior to the invention of five
line staff notation
- indicate articulation, duration, tempo
- rise and fall of the voice
During the latter part of the Medieval Period, secular music which was not bound by Catholic traditional
emerged.
Most of these songs were performed across Europe by group of Musicians called
TROUBADOURS.
-was a composer and performer during High Middle Ages
Troubaritz- female troubadour
CHARACTERISTICS OF TROUBADOUR MUSIC:
1.Usually monophonic
2. Sometimes with improvise accompaniment
3. Tells a chivalry
-code of conduct associated with medieval institution of knighthood
4. Courtly love
5. Originated in France
6. Written in the French language
FAMOUS COMPOSER:
ADAM DE LA HALLE
Was also known as Adam the Hunchback. Adam was one of the oldest secular
composers, French born troubadour, poet, and musician.
* His musical play, Jeu De robin et Marion, was considered as the earliest
surviving secular French play with music.
His musical play, Jeu de Robin etmarion was considered the earliest surviving
secular French play with music.
MUSIC OF RENAISSANCE
The term’ renaissance’ comes from the word” renaitre” which means Rebirth, REVIVAL, and
REDISCOVERY. The Renaissance period is a period of ‘ looking back’ to the Golden Age of Greece and
Rome. The influence of the Roman Catholic church started to decline as the new music genre arose.
Though sacred music was still of great importance, secular music become more prominent in the
renaissance period. This era is also known as the ‘ Golden age’ of a capella choral music.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. mostly polyphonic
2. imitation among the voices is common
3. use word painiting in texts and music
4.melodic lines move in a flowing manner
VOCAL MUSic
1. Mass- is a form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of the Eucharistic liturgy into a music.
Characteristics:
1. polyphonic
2. may be sung a capella or with orchestral accompaniment
FIVE MAIN SECTIONS OF MASS:

1. Kyrie (lord Have mercy)
2. Gloria ( Glory to God in the highest)
3. Credo( I believe in God)
4. Sanctus and benedictus( Holy, Hloy and Blessed is He)
5. Agnus Dei ( Lamb of God)
2. 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 Renaissance period.
Characteristics:
1. Polyphonic
2. Sung a capella
3. Frequently in 3 to 6 voices
Ex. April is in my mistress Face by Thomas Morley….
COMPOSERS:
1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Rome(1525- 1594)
- is said to be the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church music during the Renaissance
period. Majority of his composition were sacred music. He was committed to sacred music and has a
keen interest of satisfying the desires of church leaders in the 16th century. Palestrina’s Pope Marcellus
Mass is held up as the perfect example of counter- reformation style. Kyrie is part of the first two
sections of the Pope Marcellus Mass.
He was an organist of both Sistine Chapel and at St. Peter’s which may have influenced his distinctively
pure and restrained style in musical compositions.
2. Tomas morley 1557- 1602
Was the most famous composer of secular music in his time.
His works include:
 Fire fire with my heart
 Sing and chant it
 Fantastic
 April is in my mistress face
Music of Baroque Period 1865-1750

The word Baroque is derived from the Portuguese word” BARROCO” which means pearl of
irregular shape. Some of the great composers of this were George Friedrich Handel, Johann Sebastian
Bach and Antonio Vivaldi.
During this era, the arts highlighted grandiose and elaborate ornamentation.
New instrumental techniques and changes in musical notation were developed.
MUSIC GENRES OF BAROQUE MUSIC:
1. CONCERTO- a form of orchestral that employs a solo instrument accompanied by an

orchestra.
2. CONCERTO GROSS0- A form of orchestral music during the Baroque Period wherein the music
is between small groups of solo instruments called concertino and the whole orchestra called
tutti.
3. FUGUE- a contrapuntal piece, developed mainly by imitative counterpoint.
4. ORATORIO- a large scale musical composition for orchestra and voices that incorporates
narratives on religion themes. Usually performed without the use of costumes, scenery or
action.Written in native language for the intended audience.
5. CHORALE- musical compositions the resemble a harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the
Protestant Church during this Period
FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
- Bach came from a family of musicians. He was taught to play violin by his father who
was then the town musician in Eisenach. He entered school at age of 7 where he was taught
religion and other subjects. He became orphaned at age of ten.
His brother, a church organist provided for him.
Bach focused his attention to playing the violin and harpsichord. Bach was a religion
man. His personal and deep faith is shown in his sacred music. He was known his compositions
for organ, orchestra and oratorio. His most important and long- term
position was as “ cantor “ at ST. Thomas Church.
HIS WORKS INCLUDE:

1. Concerto Grosso
2. Masses
3. Cantatas
4. Fugues
5. Works for Clavichord & Harpsichord
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, nicknamed IL PreteRosso( The Red Priest) because of

his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composers, his influence during his lifetime was
widespread over Europe. Vivaldi is known mainly for composing instrumental
concertos, especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral works and over forty
operas. He entered the priesthood and was ordained in 1703. Vivaldi is well known
for giving the strings a major role in his compositions.
His most famous piece is the “ The Four Seasons”. This composition is a
series of four violin concerti depicting each of the seasons, “ Spring, Summer,
Autumn, and Winter.
George Friedrich Handel

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”
a few in the audience were unaware that he had lost his eyesight. The Messiah is Handel’s
most famous creation and the very well known“ Hallelujah” chorus is part of Handel’s Messiah.

Music of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Period

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MUSIC OF MEDIEVAL,RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE PERIOD

Music of medieval Period:

CHARACTERISTICS OF GREGORIAN CHANTS:

CHARACTERISTICS OF TROUBADOUR MUSIC:

FIVE MAIN SECTIONS OF MASS:

Music of Baroque Period 1865-1750

MUSIC GENRES OF BAROQUE MUSIC:

1. CONCERTO- a form of orchestral that employs a solo instrument accompanied by an

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

HIS WORKS INCLUDE:

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, nicknamed IL PreteRosso( The Red Priest) because of

George Friedrich Handel

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