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.
 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 Neume 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
 MODES OR “CHURCH MODE”

IONIAN – Constructed from the first note of

a major scale. ( C )
Pattern of Ionian W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
( CDEFGABC)
DORIAN – Constructed from the second note
of a major scale. ( D )
Pattern of Dorian W-H-W-W-W-H-W
( DEFGABCD)
PHRYGIAN – Constructed from the third
note of a major scale. ( E )
Pattern of Phrygian H-W-W-W-H-W-W
( EFGABCDE)
LYDIAN – Constructed from the fourth note of a
major scale. ( F )
Pattern of Lydian W-W-W-H-W-W-H
( FGABCDEF )
MIXOLYDIAN – Constructed from the fifth note
of a major scale. ( G )
Pattern of Mixolydian W-W-H-W-W-H-W
( GABCDEFG)
AEOLIAN – Constructed from the six note of
major scale. ( A )
Pattern of Aeolian W-H-W-W-H-W-W
( ABCDEFGA)
LOCRIAN – Constructed from the seventh note of
a major scale. ( B )
Pattern of Locrian H-W-W-H-W-W-W.
( BCDEFGAB )
 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
 MUSIC OF THE
RENAISSANCE PERIOD

( 1400 – 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)
• Greatest 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

 Worksfor 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.
GEORGE 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.
CLASSICAL PERIOD
(1750 – 1820 )
 ACTIVITY : 1
 Describe the music of W.A. Mozart’s “Eine Kleine
Nachtmusik” and answer the following questions below.

 What is the tempo?

 What is the meter used?

 What dynamics were used?

 What is the texture?

 Describe the melody. ( direction, pitch, phrases)

 Is this music familiar to you? Where did you first hear it?

How will you compare the music of the classical period to

Baroque period?
 MUSIC OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD
 The Classical Era, also called the “Age of Reason”
is the period from the 1750 – 1820. The cultural
life was dominated by the aristocracy as patrons
of musicians and artist generally influenced the
arts. Significant changes in musical forms and
styles were made.
 In the middle of the 18th century, Europe began to
move toward a new style in architecture,
literature and the arts known as Classicism.
Instrumental music was patronized by the
nobility.
 Important historical events that occurred in the
West during this era were the French Revolution
and the Napoleonic and the American
Declaration of independence.
 The term classical denotes conformity with the
principles and characteristics of ancient Greek
and Roman literature and art which were formal,
elegant, simple, freed and dignified. The same
characteristics may also described the melodies of
classical music. Harmony and texture is
Homophonic in general. The dynamics of loud and
soft was clearly shown through the extensive use
of crescendo and diminuendo. A style of broken
chord accompaniment called Alberti Bass was
practiced.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756 – 1791)
 Woflgang Amadues Mozart
is a child prodigy and most
amazing genius in musical
history.
 At age 5, he was playing the
Violin and the Harpsichord.
 At age 6, he was recognized
as an exceptional pianist.
 At age 7, he was already
composing excellent music.
 At age 13, he had written
sonatas, symphonies,
religious works, opera and
operattas.
 He experimented in all kinds of
music and compose over 700
works. Unfortunately, due to
mismanage finances he live his
life in poverty, died young and
was buried in an unknown grave.

Famous composition of Mozart

“The Marriage of Figaro” (1786)
“Don Giovanni” (1786)
“The Magic Flute”
“Eine Kliene Nachtmusik”
“Symphony no. 40 in G major”
“Sonata no. 11 in A Major K311.”
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN ( 1732 – 1809)
 Franz Joseph Haydn is one
of the most prominent
composers of the Classical
Period.
 His Life was describe as a
“rags-to-riches” story.
 He came from a poor family
and his music led to his rise
in social status.
 Was hired by rich patrons
and eventually became a
musical director for the
Esterhazy family for 30
years.
 His music reflects his character
and personality: Mainly calm,
balanced, serious but with touches
of humor.
 He was able to compose over 100
symphonies and developed them
into long forms for a large
orchestra.
 He was named, “Father of
Symphony” although he excelled in
every music genre of the period.
 Most of his symphonies have
nicknames such as the “Surprise
Symphony”, “The Clock” and “The
Military”
 He also wrote chamber music and
Choral works.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827)
 Ludwig van Beethoven was
born in Bonn, Germany to a
family of musicians and
studied music at an early
age.
 He was the composer who
bridge the classical period
to Romantic era.
 He was a talented pianist
and composer.
 His famous compositions
include 32 piano sonatas, 21
set of variations, 9
symphonies, 5 concertos for
piano, 16 string quartets
and choral music.
 His works include the “Missa
Solemnis” (1818 – 1823) an
opera “Fidelio” (1805)
 His known symphonies are:
Symphony no. 3 (Eroica), no.
5 and no. 6 (Pastoral) and no.
9 (Choral) which adds voices
to the orchestra.
 He began to go deaf in 1796
but this did not become a
hindrance. He continued
composing through the help
of an assistant and hearing
gadget. Some of his famous
compositions were made
when he was deaf.
CHARACTERISTICS OF BEETHOVEN’S WORK

 His music veered toward

larger orchestras.
 Sound was centered on
the violas and lower
registers of the violins
and cellos to give his
music a darker sound.
 All themes in a piece are
tied together by one
motiff.
 He used more brass
instruments and
dynamics.
 ROMANTIC OPERA
Opera became increasingly popular during the
Romantic period. It is a musical composition having
all or most of its text set to music with arias,
recitative, choruses, duets, trios with orchestral
accompaniment. The Opera is usually characterized
by elaborate costumes, scenery, and choreography.
 COMPONENTS OF AN OPERA
 Libretto – the text of an Opera. Librettist and the
composer work closely together to tell story.
 Score – the book that the composer and the Librettist put
together. The score has all the musical notes, words and
ideas to help the performers tell story.
 Recitative – Declamatory singing, used to prose parts
and dialogue of opera. Different Roles in Opera are created
taking into account different types of voices.
 Aria – an air or solo singing part sung by a principal
character. This song is what the public remember best
when leaving the opera house. Properly and well sung, a
beautiful aria can bring audience to its feet and decide the
fate of the opera.
 FOR THE MALE VOICE

 Tenor – the highest male voice

 Baritone – middle male voice, lies between Bass and
Tenor voices.
 Bass – lowest male voice
FOR THE FEMALE VOICES

 Soprano – highest female voice

 Coloratura – highest soprano voice

 Contralto – Lowest female voice and most unique

among female
 OPERA COMPOSERS OF THE ROMANTIC PERIOD

FRANZ PETER SCHUBERT

• Jan. 31, 1797 ( Himmelpfortgrund,Austria) + Vienna,Austria
1828.
• - developed Lieder ( German word for “songs”, proper name for
his works).
• - considered as the last of Classical and first of Romantic
composers.

 Famous lieder: “ Gretchen and Spinnrade,”“Erlkonig”, “ Ellens

Gesang III” (Ave Maria) “Schwanenge Sang” (Swan Song)
 GIUSEPPE VERDI
• Oct. 9, 1813 (Porma,Italy) + Jan. 27, 1901( Milan, Italy)
• Characters: Ordinary people; insisted on good libretto,
wrote Opera with political overtones for middle class
audience.
• “ Oberto” his first opera, was performed in La Scala ( The
most important opera house).
• Completed 25 operas, Final opera ends with “All the
World’s a Joke”
• His most acclaimed works: “La Traviata”, “Rigoletto”,
“Falstaff”, “Otello” and “Aida”.
 GIACOMO PUCCINI
 Giacomo Puccini was born in a poor family on December
22, 1858 in Lucca, Italy. He studied at Milan
Conservatory. He belong to the group of composers who
stressed realism, therefore, he drew material from
everyday life, rejecting heroic themes from mythology
and history.

FAMOUS WORKS:
“La Boheme”
“ Tosca”
“Madame Butterfly”
“Turandot”
 WILHELM RICHARD WAGNER
• May 22, 1813 (Leipzig, Germany) + Feb. 13, 1883 ( Heart
attack)
• Inspired by Ludwig Van Bethoven
• Introduced new ideas in harmony and in form ( including
extremes of Chromaticism).
• Advocate of a new form the “Music Drama”

 Famous Works: Tristan an Isolde”, “Die Walyrie”

“Die Meistersinger”, “Parsifal”
 His famous works are

 “
 His works later influence modern films scores including
those of “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings” film
series. Wagner died of a heart attack on Febuary 13, 1883
at age 69.
 GEORGES BIZET
• Oct. 25, 1838 (Paris, France) + June 3, 1875
• Entered Paris Conservatory of Music at very young age.
• Most famous opera: “Camen” which first opened in Paris
but was critized.
• - died during the First round of “Carmen” performances
• 4 months later, “Carmen” reopened in Vienna, Austria
and became a hit.