MEDIEVAL PERIOD (700 – 1400)

• Also known as the Middle ages of “Dark ages” that started with the fall of the Roman empire.
• 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. He also made it popular.
• It was originally transmitted orally, scholars agreed to put it in notation to assists
dissemination of chants across Europe

CHARACTERISTICS OF GREGORIAN CHANTS FAMOUS COMPOSER/S

- Monophonic - Free meter - Modal ADAM DE LA HALLE
- Based on Latin Liturgy - Use of Neume Notation • Also known as Adam
le Bossu.
TROUBADORS • Son of a well - known
- Group of European musicians during the latter part of citizen of Arras, Henri
Medieval period. de la Halle.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TROUBADOR MUSIC • One of the oldest secular composers.
- Monophonic - Originated in France • Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion was one
- Written in French - Tells chivalry and courtly love of his famous work and the earliest
- Sometimes with improvised accompaniment surviving French play with music.

RENAISSANCE PERIOD (1400 – 1600)

• The word Renaissance comes from the word renaitre which means “rebirth,” “revival,” and
“rediscovery. It is the period of “looking back” to the Golden age of Greece and Rome.
• Lute was the prominent instrument of the Renaissance era.
• Though sacred music was still great of importance, secular music became more prominent in
this era. This era was also known as the “golden age” of a capella choral music
• Other historical facts in this era includes: The discovery of the actual position of the Earth in the
solar system by Copernicus, Invention of the compass which can navigate land and oceans, and
Martin Luther’s Protestant information.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RENAISSANCE MUSIC

- Mostly Polyphonic - Imitation of voices is common - Use of word painting in texts and music
- Melodic lines move in a flowing manner
- Melodies are easier to perform due to movement in a scale with large leaps.
 VOCAL MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD
MASS MADRIGAL
- It is a form of sacred musical composition that • It is a secular vocal polyphonic music
sets texts of Eucharistic liturgy into music. composition which originated from Italy.
CHARACTERISTICS Expressed in poetic text and sung during
- Polyphonic - Sung a cappella or w/instrument courtly social gatherings. It is the most
- Text may be Syllabic/Neumatic/or Melismatic. important secular form during this period.
FIVE MAIN SECTIONS OF THE MASS CHARACTERISTICS
- Kyrie - Gloria - Credo - Polyphonic - Sung a cappella
- Sanctus and Benedictus 0
- Through composed
- Agnus del - Frequently in 3 to 6 voices

FAMOUS COMPOSER/S
GIOVANNI PIERLUGI DA PALESTRINA
• Greatest master of Roman Catholic Church • His most famous work was Pope
• Majority of his compositions are sacred music Marcellus mass which is the perfect
• He as an organist and choir master at Sistine example of counter – reformation
Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. style. Kyrie is part of PMM.
THOMAS MORLEY
• His most famous works • Son of a brewer and born in Norwich, England.
includes: “Fire, fire, My • Most famous composer of secular music in his time.
Heart”, “Sing and Chant it”, • Master of Choristers in 1583
“Fantasie”, and etc. • Most of his madrigals are light and easy to sing.

BAROQUE PERIOD (1685 – 1750)

• The word Baroque is derived from the Portuguese word barroco which means “pearl of
irregular shape.”
• Some of the great composers of this time were George Friedrich Handel, Johann Sebastian
Bach, Claudio Monterverdi, and Antonio Vivaldi.
• During this time, the arts highlighted grandiose and elaborate ornamentation. These were
clearly seen in the musical compositions created by Baroque Composers.
• New instrumental techniques and change in musical notation were developed.
• Major and minor tonality was created in this period.
 CHARACTERISTIC OF BAROQUE MUSIC
- Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental
- Intruments – Hapsichord and organ
- Melodies are not easy to sing nor remember
- New forms:
- Contrapuntal textures with some homophony
1. Binary – AB
- Dynamic contrast – alternation between loud and soft
2. Ternary – ABC
- Music genres – operas, oratorios, suites, toccatas,
3. Ground bass
concerto grosso, and fugue.
4. Fugue
- Orchestra consists of strings and continuo

MUSIC GENRES
CONCERTO
- A form of orchestral music that employs a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.
CONCERTO GROSSO
- A form of orchestral music wherein the music is between a small group of solo instruments called
concertino and the whole orchestra called tutti.
FUGUE
- A contrapuntal piece, developed mainly by imitative counterpoint.
ORATORIO
- A large scale of musical compositions for orchestra and voices that incorporates narratives on
religious themes. This is performed without costumes, actions, and sceneries. Usually written in
native language.
CHORALE
- A musical composition that resemble a harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the Protestant church

FAMOUS COMPOSER/S
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
• March 21, 1685 – July 28, 1750
• Came from a family of musicians
• School at 7 and orphaned at 10
• Have a soprano singing voice.
• Religious man and love sacred music.
• Known for his compositions for organ, orchestra
and harpsichord. Was a cantor at St Thomas Ch.
FAMOUS WORKS
- Concerto Grosso. Masses, Fugues, and Cantatas
GEORGE FRIEDRICH HANDEL
• February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759
• 2nd son from the 2nd marriage of a
pastor
• At 7, he gained access to a church
Organ, then a duke heart it and gives him educa.
• He is remembered for his operas and oratorios.
• Lost both of his eyesight in 1753.
FAMOUS WORKS
- The Messiah – made just in 24 days in London
 ANTONIO LUCIO VIVALDI
- Venice, March 4, 1678 – Vienna, July 28, 1741 FAMOUS WORKS
- “The Red Priest” because of his red hair • The Four Seasons:
- Italian Baroque Composer, Priest, and Violinist - Spring
- One of the greatest Baroque composers - Summer
- Known for composing instrumental concertos - Autumn
- Well known for giving the strings a major role in his compo. - Winter