Music 150

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Music 150

• Medieval Music

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General Background

• Stratified Social Structure Noblemen vs.
  Peasant Class Central Catholic church was
  the most important and dominant
  institution

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Uses of Medieval Music

• Church Music
• Other Religious Songs
• Secular Songs (love, politics)
• Instrumental Dances

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Medieval Church Music

• Began as Monophonic CHANT
• Gradually added POLYPHONY with more
  individual lines (ORGANUM MOTET)
• Metrical Rhythm added from secular dance
  music

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Featured Medieval Composers

• CHANT (Anonymous Monks)
• ORGANUM (Perotin)
• MOTET POLYPHONIC MASS (Machaut)

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Medieval Church Music
The MASS was the most important musical
event - Mass Ordinary vs. Proper-
Ordinary 5 daily prayersKyrie, Gloria, Credo,
Sanctus, Agnus Dei
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Medieval Secular Music
Songs - Love, Politics, News,
Socio-Religious Commentary sung by traveling
minstrels
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Common Medieval Instruments
Recorder (woodwind) Crumhorn (double-reed
wind) Vielle (Viol--early string) Drums
Organ, Harp