1. Music of the
Middle Ages

2. Middle Ages

3. Middle Ages
(Medieval Period)

4. Middle Ages (Medieval Period)
Relatively small feudalistic territories formed in the absence of Roman imperial protection. Christianity continued to spread over Europe under Roman Catholic authority. Widespread illiteracy in absence of printed material. Books were handmade and very expensive.

5. Feudalism
Relatively small areas of land controlled by local "warlords", "land barons", etc., who provided protection for residents on his lands in exchange for tribute.

6. Gregorian Chant (Plainchant, Plainsong)
Single unaccompanied melody over sacred text in Latin. Comprised total musical content of Catholic worship in early medieval period. Named for Pope Gregory I
(reigned ) who codified them during the sixth-century, establishing uniform usage throughout the Western Church.

7. Hymn to St. John (Ut Queant Laxis)
Resonare fibris
Mira gestorum
Famulituorum
Solve poluti
Labii reatum
Sancte Johannes

8. Gregorian Chant (Plainchant, Plainsong)
Listening: Hymn to St. John (“Ut Queant Laxis” Fowler, p. 384).

9. Organum
Chant with two or more voice parts moving at first in parallel perfect intervals. This style eventually became known as "Ars Antiqua" (the old art).
a. parallel- separate parts move together, same direction and distance.
b. melismatic- one part fixed, the other moves, especially on one syllable.

10. Evolution of
Notation
Heighted Neumes- symbols (ecphonetic notation) around a single line drawn over the text for pitch reference. More lines were gradually added for more accurate pitch reference, leading to the development of the modern staff.

11. Evolution of
Notation
Heighted Neumes
12th Century

12. Evolution of
Notation
Heighted Neumes
13th Century

13. Ars Nova
“The New Art,” addition of rhythmic notation which began with the composers Leonin and Perotin in the “Notre Dame School” (Paris).

14. Ars Nova and the Notation of Rhythm
Listening: Perotin’s Viderunt Omnes. Example: Melismatic Organum, Ars Nova.

15. Secular Music
Troubadors- medieval folk musicians of southern France (Provence) and England.
Trouveres- medieval folk musicians northern France.
Minnesingers- medieval folk musicians of Germanic northern Europe.

16. Prendes i Garde (Be on your guard)
Take care, lest anyone see us
If someone sees us, tell me.
It’s just there in that wooded grove.
Take care, lest anyone see us.
That pleasant lass was looking after the animals,
“Charming brunette, I would like to meet with you”
Take care lest anyone see us,

17. Secular Music
Troubadors
Listening: Guillaume d’Amien’s Prendes i Garde (Fowler, pp ). Example: Troubador 13th century monophonic song.