1. The Dark Ages (Early Middle Ages)
and the
Decline of
Empire

2. The Dark Ages (Early Middle Ages)
Period of Roman Imperial decline in which the Pax Romana (Roman peace) failed, leaving citizens in previous areas of Roman control unprotected.

3. Early Christian Chant Extant examples date from the 4th century AD.
Probably descends from singing traditions in Jewish worship.

4. Byzantine Chant
“Byzantine” refers to traditions of the Eastern Roman Empire established by Constantine with his new capital at Constantinople, formerly Byzantium, now Istanbul in Turkey. The Christian practice here would eventually evolve into the Greek and Eastern (Russia) Orthodox Churches.

5. Byzantine Chant Eastern Roman Empire
Listening: Lenten Troparion after Psalm 50.

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. Gregorian Chant (Plainchant, Plainsong) Listening: Hymn to St. John
(Ut Queant Laxis)

9. Evolution of Notation
Ecphonetic Notation- markings above words continues from ancient Greek use to employment in Chant.

10. Ecphonetic Notation
9th Century

11. Ecphonetic Notation
10th
Century