Music-9 Q1 LECTURE-1.1

LECTURE 1.
1 - MUSIC 9
MUSIC OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD (700 – 1400)
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. Pope Gregory’s action made monophonic plain chants
popular.
Characteristics of the Gregorian Chants:

• Monophonic
• Free meter
• Modal
• Usually based on Latin liturgy
• Use of Neume notation
During the latter part of the Medieval Period, secular music which was not bound by
Catholic traditions emerged. Most of these songs were performed across Europe by groups of
musicians called Troubadours.
Troubadour Music:
• Usually monophonic
• Sometimes with improvised accompaniment
• Tells of chivalry and courtly love
• Originated in France
• Written in the French language
MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD (1400 – 1600)
The term ―Renaissance comes from the word ―renaître which means “rebirth” ― “revival”,
and ― “rediscovery”. The Renaissance Period is a period of ―”looking back” to the Golden Age
of Greece and Rome. The invention of printing in the 1400s paved the way for a wide
distribution of renaissance compositions. With the emergence of the bourgeois class,
renaissance music became popular as entertainment and activity for amateurs and the
educated. Lute was the prominent instrument of the renaissance era. T
MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD (1685 – 1750)
The word Baroque is derived from the Portuguese word ― “barroco” which means ― “a
pearl of irregular shape”. Some of the great composers of this time were George Friedrich
Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach, Claudio Monteverdi, and Antonio Vivaldi. During this time, the
arts highlighted grandiose and elaborate ornamentation. These were seen in the musical
compositions created by Baroque composers. Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental and
are not easy to sing and remember.
 The number of years in history.

Music of the medieval period (700 – 1400) -- 700 years
Music of the renaissance period (1400 – 1600) --- 200 years Music of the
baroque period (1685 – 1750) -- 65 years
 Famous Composer of the Medieval Period
Adam de la Halle (France, 1237 – 1288)

Adam de la Halle was also known as Adam le Bossu (Adam the Hunchback). He
was the son of a well – known citizen of Arras, Henri de la
Halle. He received his education at the Cistercian Abbey of Vaucelles, near
Cambral. Adam was destined for the church but he eventually married.
 Famous Composers of the Renaissance Period
1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (Rome, 1525 - February 2, 1594)
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is said to be the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church
music during the Renaissance period. The majority of his compositions are sacred music. He
was committed to sacred music and has a keen interest in satisfying the desires of church
leaders in the sixteenth century.
2. Thomas Morley 1557 – 1602
Morley was born in Norwich, East

England, the son of a brewer. He was a singer in the
local cathedral from his boyhood, and he became a
master of choristers there in 1583. Thomas Morley was
the most famous composer of secular music in his time.
He was a singer in the local cathedral during his
childhood and received his Bachelor’s degree in Oxford
and became an organist at St. Paul’s in London.
His works include:
Fire, Fire, My Heart
Sing and Chant It
Fantasie
April Is In My Mistress’ Face
It Was A Lover and His Lass
 Famous Composers of the Baroque Period
1. Johann Sebastian Bach (Germany March 21,

1685 - July 28, 1750)
J.S. Bach came from a family of musicians. He was taught to play the violin by his father
who was then the town musician in Eisanach. He became orphaned at age ten. His
brother, a church organist provided for him. Bach’s beautiful soprano singing voice
helped him to be accepted at a school in Luӥeberg. A few years later, his voice changed
and Bach focused his attention on playing the violin and harpsichord.
His works include:

∙ Concerto Grosso e.g. Brandenburg Concertos (concerto
grosso) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw2dlZ8V4-0)
∙ Masses e.g. Mass in B minor
∙ Cantatas e.g. Cantata 208 and 211
∙ Fugues e.g. Fugue in G minor http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=p1XD1MSES_8
∙ Toccata and Fugue in D minor
∙ Works for clavichord and harpsichord e.g. Well-
Tempered Clavier (one of his more well-known
keyboard improvisations)
2. Antonio Vivaldi (Venice, March 4, 1678, to Vienna, July

28, 1741)
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, nicknamed il Prete Rosso ("The Red Priest") because of his red
hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, a Catholic priest, and a virtuoso violinist.
Recognized as one of the greatest 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.
His most famous piece is The Four Seasons. This composition is a series of four violin
concerti depicting each of the seasons, ―Spring, ―Summer, ―Autumn, and ―Winter.
Listen to the link below that features “Spring” (one of the four parts of The Four
Seasons) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFHPRi0ZeXE Last viewed November 7,
2013
3. George Friedrich Händel (Germany, February 23,

1685, London, April 14, 1759)
George Händel was the second son from the second marriage of
a pastor. At age 7, he gained access to a church organ and
started to play. A Duke heard him play and insisted on giving him
a formal music education. Händel is remembered for his operas
and oratorios. Handel became England’s favorite composer.
ASSESSMENT:
Direction: Classify the items in the box according to the historical period to which they belong.
Write the words in the column below.
Dark Ages Jeux-partis
Johann Sebastian Bach Barroco
Thomas Morley Concerto
Renaître Masses
Adam de la Halle Madrigal
MULTIPLE CHOICES:
Test I: Write the letter of your answer in your music activity notebook.
_______ 1. Baroque music is known for its grandiose and elaborate ornamentation. Which of
the following Baroque Music forms was developed through imitative counterpoint?
A. Concerto Grosso B. Fugue C. Oratorio D. Symphony
_______2. Which of the following is a characteristic of Gregorian chant during the medieval
period?
A. Polyphonic B. Sung a cappella C. Free meter D. Chants
_______3. The period known as the golden age of a capella was the ______period.
A. Medieval B. Renaissance C. Baroque D. Dark ages
_______4. Which of the following describes the music during the Baroque period?
A. Melodies are not easy to sing or remember
B. Imitation among the voices is common
C. Melodies are easier to perform because these move along a scale with a few large
leaps
D. Polyphony
________5. The period when the Christian Church highly influenced culture and political affairs in
Europe was the;
A. Medieval Period C. Baroque Period
B. Renaissance Period D. Dark ages
TRUE OR FALSE:
Test II: Write True if the statement is true and False if the statement is false in your music
activity notebook.
________1. Adam de la Halle was also known as “Adam the Hunchback”. ________2. Bach
was a religious man and is shown in his sacred music.
________3. Toccata and fugue in D minor were created by Bach.
________4. The Messiah was not one of the famous creation of Handel.
________5. Antonio Vivaldi was considered one of the greatest Renaissance composer.
________6. The Period when the Christian Church highly influenced culture and political affairs
in Europe was the Medieval Period.
________7. George Friedrich Handel was a religious man and a “cantor” at St. Thomas Church.
________8. One of the famous compositions of Adam de la Halle is the Le Jeu de Robin et de
Marion.
________9. Palestrina’s Pope Marcellus Mass is held up as the perfect example of counter-
reformation style.
________10. The Four Seasons is Johann Sebastian Bach's most famous piece.

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LECTURE 1.

MUSIC OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD (700 – 1400)

Characteristics of the Gregorian Chants:

MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD (1400 – 1600)

 The number of years in history.

 Famous Composer of the Medieval Period

Adam de la Halle (France, 1237 – 1288)

 Famous Composers of the Renaissance Period

1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (Rome, 1525 - February 2, 1594)

2. Thomas Morley 1557 – 1602

Morley was born in Norwich, East

 Famous Composers of the Baroque Period

1. Johann Sebastian Bach (Germany March 21,

His works include:

2. Antonio Vivaldi (Venice, March 4, 1678, to Vienna, July

3. George Friedrich Händel (Germany, February 23,

Dark Ages Jeux-partis

Johann Sebastian Bach Barroco

Thomas Morley Concerto

Adam de la Halle Madrigal

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