PASIG COMMUNITY SCHOOL

FOUNDATION, Inc.
25 M. Suarez Avenue, San Miguel,
Pasig City
MUSIC

Medieval,
Renaissance,and
Baroque Music
Lesson 1: Medieval Period
Medieval Period (700 – 1400)
• Middle Ages or “Dark Ages” that started with the fall of the Roman Empire.

• Monophonic plainchant or also called Gregorian Chant

• Pope Gregory I

• It was originally transmitted orally, scholars agreed to put it in notation to

assist dissemination of chants across Europe.
Roman Catholic
Two Significant Forms
Gregorian Chant
• Sacred Song

• Lyrics are liturgical and in Latin language

• Free-flowing melody

• Commonly performed by male choirs

Gregorian Chant
Music sheet written in Neumes
Two Significant Forms
Troubadors
• Created songs from poems about:
Chivalry, Love, War, Historical Events

• Lyrics were secular.

• Accompanied by stringed instruments

Troubadours
• Usually played dansa and
balada

• Alba, a morning song about

lovers who need to part

• Chansonniers, a compilation
of troubadour’s songs
Lesson 1: Renaissance Period
Renaissance Period (1400 – 1600)
• “renaitre” which means “rebirth”, “revival” and “rediscovery”

• Renaissance music became popular as entertainment and activity for

amateurs and the educated.

• Secular music became more prominent in the renaissance period

• This era was also known as the ―golden age of a capella choral music.
Vocal Music of the Renaissance Period
Mass
A form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of the Eucharistic liturgy into music

• May be sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment

Five Main Sections of Mass:

1. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)
2. Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)
3. Credo (I Believe in One God)
4. Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, holy and Blessed Is He)
5. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)
Vocal Music of the Renaissance Period
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.
• Sung a cappella, Frequently in 3 to 6 voices

“April Is In My Mistress Face” by Thomas Morley

Lesson 1: Baroque Period
Baroque Period (1685 – 1750)
• The word Baroque is derived from the Portuguese word “barroco” which
means “pearl of irregular shape”

• Major and minor tonality was also created in this period.

• Dynamic contrast – alternation between loud and soft

• Melodies are not easy to sing or remember

Music Genres of Baroque Music
1. Concerto
A form of orchestral music that employs a solo instrument accompanied by
an orchestra.
Music Genres of Baroque Music
2. Concerto Grosso
A form of orchestral music during the Baroque Period wherein the music is
between a small group of solo instruments called concertino and the whole
orchestra called tutti.