Musical Elements of Selected Vocal and Instrumental music of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Period
Music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Periods
LESSON 1: Music of the Medieval Period (700-1400)
The Medieval Era is otherwise known as Middle Ages or Dark Ages which began with
the fall of the Roman Empire. The Christian Church influenced the Europe’s culture and political
affairs during this period.
A monophonic plainchant known as Gregorian Chant was named after Pope Gregory I
who created this an approved music of the Catholic Church which became popular.
There are two types of music during this period namely;
1. Gregorian Chant which is a sacred music with the following characteristics; FLUMM (Free
Meter, Latin Liturgy based, Use of Neume notation, Monophonic, and Modal)
2. Troubadour Music which is a secular music with the following characteristics; TWOSU (Tells
of chivalry and courtly love, Written in French Language, Originated in France, Sometimes with
Improvised Accompaniment, Usually monophonic)
The famous composer during this period is Adam de la Halle, French, 1237-1288 who
was also known as Adam le Bossu (Adam the Hunchback). His works include
1. Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion (The Play of Robin and Marion)
2. La Chanson du roi de Sicile ( The Song of the King of Sicily)
Listening Activity 1
Listen to the link below that features Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion
LESSON 2 : Music of the Renaissance Period (1400-1600)
The word Renaissance derived from the word renaitre which means “rebirth”, “revival”
or “rediscovery”. The Renaissance Period is an era of “looking back” to the Golden Age of
Greece and Rome.
Renaissance music became famous as entertainment and activity for amateurs and the
educated with the emergence of bourgeois class. Although sacred music was still of great
significance, secular music became more popular in this period. Renaissance Period was also
known as the “golden age” of a cappella choral music.
It is characterized as MUMMI (Mostly polyphonic, Use of word painting in texts and
music, Melodic lines move in a flowing manner, Melodies are easier to perform because these
move along a scale with a few large leaps, and Imitation among the voices is common).
Mass and Madrigal were two types of vocal music during Renaissance Period.
1. Mass is a form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of the Eucharistic liturgy into
music and described as polyphonic, may be sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment,
and the text may be syllabic, neumatic, or melismatic. Its five sections are the following; Kyrie
(Lord Have Mercy), Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest), Credo (Apostle’s Creed or Nicean
Creed), Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, holy and Blessed is He), and Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).
2. Madrigal is 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
characterized as polyphonic, sung a cappella, through-composed, and frequently in three to six
voices.
The two famous composers in this period were;
1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Rome, 1525-1594
He is known to be the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church music during
Renaissance Period. His Pope Marcellus Mass is held up as perfect counter-reformation style.
2. Thomas Morley, 1557-1602, England, 1157-1602 He was a singer in the local cathedral from his childhood and he became master of choristers there in 1583. He was the most eminent composer of secular music in his time.
Morley’s works include; Fire, Fire, My Heart, Sing and Chant It, Fantasie, April is in my
Mistress Face, and It was a lover and his lass.
Listening Activity 2
Listen to Morley’s madrigal composition “Fire, Fire, My Heart” using the link below.
LESSON 3: Music of the Baroque Period (1685-1750)
The term Baroque came from the Portuguese word barroco which means “pearl of
irregular shape”.
The arts highlighted grandiose and elaborate ornamentation during this period which
were clearly seen in the musical compositions created by Baroque composers.
There were new instrumental techniques and changes in musical notation were developed
and major and minor tonality was also formed in this era. A lot of the musical terms and
concepts that evolved in this period are still used nowadays.
It is characterized as follows;
Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental.
Melodies are not easy to sing or recall.
Primarily contrapuntal textures with some homophony.
Dynamic contrast-alternation between loud and soft.
Music genres include concerto, concerto grosso, fugue, oratorio, and chorale.
Orchestra consists of strings and continuo.
Harpsichord and organ are the keyboard instruments that are commonly used.
New forms such as binary (AB), ternary (ABC), ground bass, and fugue.
The famous composers during this period were; (JAG)
1. Johann Sebastian Bach, Germany, 1685-1750
He originated from the family of musicians. Bach was a religious man and his personal
and deep faith is seen in his sacred music. He was known for his compositions for organ,
orchestra, and oratorio. He was a cantor or choir leader at St. Thomas Church for a long time.
Bach’s works include:
Concerto Grosso e,g, Brandenburg Concertos
Masses e.g. Mass in B-minor
Cantatas e.g. Cantata 208 and 211
Fugues e.g. Fugue in G minor
Works for clavichord and harpsichord e.g. Well-tempered Clavier
2. Antonio Vivaldi, Venice, 1678-1741
He was known as Il Prete Rosso (The Red Priest) because of his red hair. He was an
Italian Baroque composer, Catholic Priest, and virtuoso violinist. He was renowned as one of the
greatest Baroque composers and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe.
Vivaldi’s famous composition is The Four Seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and
Winter).
3. George Friedrich Handel, Germany, 1685-1759
He secretly taught himself to play harpsichord despite of his father’s opposition. He
studied counterpoint, canon, and fugue under Zachau who is an organist of Halle Cathedral. He
is reminisced for his operas and oratorios . Hence, he became England’s favorite composer.
Handel’s most famous composition is “The Messiah” and the very well known
“Hallelujah” chorus is part of it.
Listening Activity 3:
Listen and watch the following link that features the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah
Activity 4: Select and
Paste
Directions: Select the word/s that describe/s the music of the different periods inside the box. Write your answer on the space provided in the columns of each era.
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monophonic polyphonic Gregorian chant imitation of
voices elaborate melodies dynamic
contrast operas and
orchestras use of neume
notation madrigal music contrapuntal
textures with some homophony word
painting in texts or music based on Latin
liturgy mass music new musical
forms(binary/ternary) |
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MEDIEVAL MUSIC |
RENAISSANCE MUSIC |
BAROQUE MUSIC |
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