A JOURNEY THROUGH MUSICAL TIME

Medieval Period of music is the period from the years c.500 to 1400.

 It is the longest “period” of music (it covers 900 years) and runs right through from around the me of the fall of
the Western Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance.
 Medieval Period
 Music is based upon religious subject.
 Choirs expressed faith through beau ful melodies.
 The period was also characterised by troubadours and trouvères – these were travelling singers and performers.
 Music is based upon religious subject.
 Choirs expressed faith through beau ful melodies.
 The period was also characterised by troubadours and trouvères – these were travelling singers and performers.
 The Roman Catholic church dominated the center of musical ac vity during the Middle Ages.

Most music was vocal and performed A Capella or without instruments

MONOPHONIC MUSIC
 The vast majority of medieval music was monophonic in other words, there was only a single melody line.
(“mono-phonic” literally means “one sound”).
 The development of polyphonic music (more than one melody line played at the same me (“poly-phonic”
means “many sounds”))
 was a major shi towards the end of era that laid the founda ons for Renaissance styles of music.

GREGORIAN CHANT
 consis ng of a single line of vocal melody, unaccompanied in free rhythm was one of the most common forms of
medieval music.
 Official music of Roman Catholic Church
 It also named as plainsong or plain chant
 Named a er Pope Gregory I
 who made this the approved music of the Catholic Church.

SECULAR MUSIC
• means being unassociated with the church or religion, this includes love songs that used musical instruments
such as the harp, drums, and bagpipes.
• Covers a ton of different genres that are known today, including jazz, hip-hop, pop, rock, and folk music.

The Baroque Period

• Baroque music is a style of Western art music composed from approximately 1600 to 1750.
• The word “baroque” comes from the Portuguese word barroco meaning misshapen pearl, a nega ve descrip on
of the ornate and heavily ornamented music of this period.
• The Baroque period saw the crea on of tonality. During the period, composers and performers used more
elaborate musical ornamenta on, made changes in musical nota on, and developed new instrumental playing
techniques.
• a style of music that prevailed during the period from about 1600 to about 1750, known for its grandiose,
drama c, and energe c spirit but also for its stylis c diversity.

OPERA
are like plays and performed on stage. They include costumes, ac ng, props, scenery, and ligh ng.

VOCAL CHAMBER
a wide range of music composed for anywhere from a solo to twelve voices and accompanying instruments.

CHAMBER CANTATA
is an important form of secular vocal music, this are short, nontheatrical composi on.
BASSO CONTINUO
refers to a con nuous bass line with improvised harmonies in Baroque period music.
FAMOUS COMPOSER

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)

• Born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach Germay,

• Came from a long line of musician.
• His father taught him how to play the harpsichord and violin
 • He started his musical career as a church organist just like his father and grandfather.
• He held some posi ons a er he graduated:
• He served as the court conductor for Leopold the prince of Anhalt-Kothen
• He became the director of the Leipzig Collegium Musicum, a student organiza on in Germany that provided
weekly concert at a coffeehouse
• He served as the composer in the Royal Court for August III.
He held some posi ons a er he graduated:
• He served as the court conductor for Leopold the prince of Anhalt-Kothen
• He became the director of the Leipzig Collegium Musicum, a student organiza on in Germany that provided
weekly concert at a coffeehouse
• He served as the composer in the Royal Court for August III.
His works includes:
• Concerto Grosso
• Masses
• Cantatas
• Fuques

Antonio Vivaldi
• Antonio Lucio Vivaldi Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nickname ilPrete Rosso ("The Red Priest") because of his red hair,
was an Italian Baroque composer, Catholic priest and a virtuoso violinist.
• Recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, his influence during his life me was widespread over
Europe
• Vivaldi is known mainly for composing instrumental concertos, especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral
works and over forty operas.
• His most famous piece is The Four Seasons. This composi on is a series of four violin concer depic ng each of
the seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
• His work includes:
• The Four Seasons

George Friedrich Handel

• When he conducted his oratorio, Samson,” a few in the audience were unaware that he had lost his eyesight.
 The Messiah is Handel’s most famous crea on and the very well known Hallelujah chorus is part of Handel’s
Messiah.
 The Messiah was wri en in the space of twenty – four days in London but it was in Dublin when The Messiah
was first performed and became an instant success.
 His works include:
 The Messiah “Hallelujah Chorus”

THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

 Also called “Age of Reason”
 Cultural life was dominated by the aristocracy
 Important historical events that occurred in the West during this era: French Revolu on, Napoleonic Wars,
American Declara on of Independence in 1776, American Revolu on
 “Classical” denotes conformity with the principles and characteris cs of Ancient Greece and Roman literature
and art which are formal, elegant, simple, freed and dignified
 Harmony and texture is homophonic

Instrumental Forms of Classical Music

Sonata
A mul -movement work for solo instrument, Sonata came from the word “Sonare” which means to make a sound. This
term is applied to a variety of works for a solo instrument such as keyboard or violin.

Three movements in a sonata

1ST Movement: Allegro – fast movement
2nd Movement: Slow tempo: (Andante, Largo, etc.) mostly lyrical and emo onal
3rd Movement: Minuet it is in three-four me and in a moderate or fast tempo.

FORM

The most important form that developed during the classical era consists 3 dis nct sec on:
1. Exposi on – the first part of a composi on in sonata form that introduced the theme.
2. Development is middle part of the sonata allegro form wherein themes are being developed
3. Recapitula on- repeats the theme as they first emerge in the opening exposi on

Concerto

 The classical concerto is a piece of music composed for an instrumental soloist and orchestra.
  It is wri en to feature the musical skills and expressiveness of a single musician, the soloist, while being
accompanied by a large group of musicians that make up the orchestra.
 A concerto has three movements: fast, slow, and fast.

Symphony

 A mul -movement work for orchestra, the symphony is derived from the word Sinfonia which literally means a
harmonious sounding together.
 It is a classical music for the whole orchestra, generally in four movements.

Four Movements of symphony

 1st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form

 2nd Movement: Slow: gentle, lyrical - typical ABA form or theme and varia on
 3rd Movement: Medium/Fast: uses a dance form (Minuet or scherzo)
 4th Movement: Fast: typically Rondo or Sonata form

Vocal Forms of Classical Music

 Classical Opera
 Opera is a drama set to music where singers and musicians perform in a theatrical se ng.
 The two dis nct styles of opera are Opera Seria and Opera Buffa.

Opera Seria

 serious opera
 usually implies heroic or tragic drama that uses mythological characters, which was inherited from the Baroque
period
 the age of opera seria corresponded with the rise to prominence of the castra , o en prodigiously gi ed male
singers who had undergone castra on before puberty in order to retain a high, powerful soprano or alto voice
backed by decades of rigorous musical training

The Opera Buffa

 comic opera from Italy

 made use of everyday characters and situa ons, and usually used spoken dialogues, lengthy arias and was spiced
with sight gags, naughty humor, and social sa re
 The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic
 Flute are examples of popular Opera Buffa by Mozart.

Composers of the Classical Period

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

 He was named as the “ Father of Symphony”

 His life is described as a “Rags to riches” story
 Hired by rich patrons and became a musical director for the Esterhazy family for 30 years
 His music is mainly calm, balanced, serious but with touches of humor
 Composed over 100 symphonies
 Works:
 Surprise Symphony
 The Clock
 The Military

WOLFGANG AMADEU’S MOZART

 Child prodigy and most amazing genius in musical history
 Plays the violin and harpsichord at age 5
 Was recognized as an excep onal pianist at age 6
 Composed excellent music at age 7
 Had wri en sonatas, concertos, symphonies, religious works, operas, and opere as at age 13

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

 From a family of musicians and studied music at an early age

 Composer who bridged the late Classical era and the early Roman c era
  He began to deaf in 1796
 Works:
 Missa Solemnis
 Fidelio
 Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)
 Symphony No.5
 Symphony No.3 (Eroica)
 Symphony No. 9 (Choral)
 Fur Elise
 Ode to Joy

ROMANTIC PERIOD (1820-1920)

 It was during the nineteenth century when much of the popula on gained educa on in music.
 Musicology emerged, is a discipline characterized by the systema zed study of science, history, forms, and
methods of music.

Characteris cs of Roman c Music

 Roman c composers no longer relied on the support or sponsorship of the aristocrats and church but on a
considerably large audience– the middle class.
 Virtuos c display of skills and techniques in performing was greatly admired.
 The public favored more genres such as opera, piano, composi ons, solo songs with piano accompaniment, and
orchestral works.
 Devo on to one’s na on or na onalism was an important influence.
 Roman c composers enjoyed self-expression and created music
 Characteris cs of Roman c Music

FAMOUS COMPOSER

Niccolo Paganini
 He was born in October 27, 1782 in Genoa, Italy and became the most famous violin virtuoso in the world.
 He stands out primarily for his “rockstar performances”.
 However, together with his fame came the rumors about his amazing violin skills that was said to be a gi from t
he devil and that he sold his soul in exchange for those skills.
 He was also rumored to have a problem with women and gambling.
 Some Works of Niccolo Paganini:
 La Campanella
 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1 incomplete
 Concerto No. 1 in Eb, Op. 6
 15 Quartets for Guitar and Strings Trio
 The Carnival of Venice

Frederic Chopin (1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849)

 He was known as the “Poet of the Piano” and was born on March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa, Poland.
 He is an extra ordinary composer who is considered a genius in using the piano that he had a tremendous impact
on other musicians.
 Chopin composi ons were almost primarily for the piano and some of his most well-known composi ons are:
 Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49
 Revolu onary Etude, Op. 10, No. 12 and 24
 Preludes, Op. 28 No.7

FRANZ LISZT (22 October 1811 – 31 July 1886)

 Liszt was born in the village Doborjan, Hungary on October 22, 1811.
 He was known as the greatest piano virtuoso of his me.
 He also became a court conductor for the grand duke of Weimar when he was thirty-six years old. Some of
 Some of Liszt’s Piano works:
 La Campanella originally wri en by Paganini but Liszt found it so beau ful that he adapted it for piano.
 LIEBESTRÄUME (Dreams of Love) is a set of 3 piano solos that Liszt wrote. No. 3 is the most famous
 Un Sospiro
 Sonata in B Minor

ROBERT SCHUMANN (8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856)

 Robert Alexander Schumann was born in 1810 in Zwickau, Germany.

 He was a German composer, pianist and influen al music cri c.
  Most of his best-known piano pieces were wri en for his wife, Clara Schumann who is also a pianist and a
composer.
 He wrote over 100 Art Songs. Some of which are:
 Frauenliebe and Leben ("A Woman's Love and Life")
 Dichterliebe ("A Poet's Love")

HECTOR BERLIOZ (11 December 1803 – 8 March 1869)

 Hector Berlioz is a French roman c composer born on December 11, 1803.

 He was known largely for his“Symphonie Fantas que” and the choral symphony “Romeo et Julie e”
 Choral symphony, a term coined by Berlioz, is a composi on for orchestra, choir, and some mes solo voices.
 His works and composi ons showcased innova veness and search for expression.
 He is considered as one of the most original great composers and a prac cal musician.

PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (Pyotr Ilyich Chaykowsky) (7 May 1840 – 6 November 1893)

 Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840 inVotkinsk, Russia.

 He was the first Russian composer whose music made a las ng impression interna onally.
 He displayed an excep onal musical gi when he started improvising at the piano and composing songs at an
early age.
 His works includes concertos, symphonies, ballets, operas and chamber music.
 He used his own na ve folk music in his symphonic works plan ng the seeds of what would later be known as
the Na onalist movement.
 Tchaikovsky’s Famous Composi ons:
 Swan Lake
 Symphony No. 6 “Pathe que”
 The Nutcracker
 Romeo & Juliet
 812 Overture
 Sleeping Beauty
 Piano Concerto No. 1

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (October 9, 1835 – December16, 1921)

 Camille Saint-Saëns was born in Paris on October 9,1835.

 He started his music at an early age through the help of his aunt.
 He began his piano lesson when he was only two years old and composing his first piano piece at the age of
three.
 He was considered as a composer who creates elegant music that is neat, polished, and never excessive.
 Best known music of Camille Saint-Saëns:
 Carnival of the Animals
 Danse Macabre and his Symphony No. 3
 The Swan

Music of the 20th Century

In Europe, the 20th century began on a posi ve note and the majority of the popula on was jubilant for a bright future.
Feelings of advancement, prosperity, expansion and op mism were apparent all throughout the con nent and the
popula on drama cally increased as well. Developments in technology, engineering and medicine improved human
lives. However, this was all changed by two World Wars, which greatly shaped the consciousness and a tudes of people
especially those in music and the arts.

The Second Viennese School: Atonality and Serialism

In the early 20th century, the Second Viennese School came into being but their musical idiom was vastly different from
their 18th - century counterparts. Also principally made up of three composers their music was characterized by a shi
from tonality to atonality, that is music which is not centered on a certain key. When we listen to music of this type we
cannot decipher whether it is in the key of G or the key of F.

Their music also employed serialism a composi onal technique that equally uses all the 12 notes of the chroma c scale
without favoring a note/s among others. This is also some mes called the 12-tone technique

Impressionism began in France at around the early 1860‟s and was a reac on toward realis c portrayals of subjects. It
puts emphasis on flee ng momentary impressions rather than focusing objec vely on structures or forms found within
an artwork. Its central figure in music is Claude Debussy. Other composers who are representa ves of his idiom are
Maurice Ravel of France, O orino Respighi of Italy and Charles Griffes from the U.K.
Minimalism

In the 1960‟s ,a tendency towards simplicity in music was founded by several American composers. They desired a kind
of music which was free from too much sen mentality and technical difficul es. Their composi ons were not that
drama c and changes within the music are realized generally in longer periods of me in a carefully staggered way.
Minimalism as the name suggest hoped to bring back music to its most basic elements. The foremost figures in this
style were Steve Reich, Terry Riley, La Monte Young and Philip Glass.

Electronic Music

The advent of electronic instruments notably the synthesizer equipment and other innova ons gave rise to music
which was not derived or created from the known standard musical instruments whether from Eastern or Western
origin. New electronic instruments appeared that were capable of making sounds previously considered unimaginable.
Some composers from this idiom are Milton Babbi , Karlheinz Stockhausen and Luciano Berio

The Kundiman

The Kundiman is the type of Filipino art song that is wri en in triple me , and usually begins in a minor key. It is
referred to as the signature love of the country. Its theme generally portrays the „‟ faithful and true, but o en forlom
pleadings of a lover who knows nothing but sacrifice behalf of this beloved.‟‟ (Padilla de Leon 1969). According to
Raymond Banas (1969), there are three possible theories as the origin of the word “Kundiman”

1. a contrac on of the phase “kung hindi man”

2. a deriva on from the verse “hele, hele ng kundiman”

3. the red cloth worm by men and male dancers in the countryside

The Kumintang

In the 1800s historians referred to it as the “na onal song and dance”of the Philippines, the “Kumintang was originally a
“war song that inflamed combatants in ac on” (Manuel walls y Merino 1892). the province usually associated to its
origin is Batangas, where it developed in to song and dance form. Also wri en in triple me, it is a love of dance
performed to a sad song, usually accompanied by a guitar or a double bass

Bands

Bands, which are composed of woodwinds, brass instruments, and other percussion intsruments such as drums also
have a significant following especially in these provinces: Rizal, Bulacan, Batangas, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, La Union, and
Pampanga. These range from military marching bands civilian bands and town bands.

Musikong Bumbong

Is a type of ensemble ( usually in band configura on) that has instruments made of bamboo. These ensembles a very
few and quite unique in the sound that they produce.

Orchestras

The Philippines has a few orchestras, and these are the following:

1. PPO- Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

2. MSO- Manila Symphonic Orchestra

3. MMCO- Metro Manila Community Orchestra

4 .UPSO- University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra

5. ABS CBN Orchestra

6 .UST Symphonic Orchestra

7. MPO- Manila Philharmonic Orchestra

8. Orchestra of the Filipino Youth

Rondalla

The Rondalla, origina ng from Spain, is an ensemble (performing group) that was later customized and transformed to
fit Filipino culture. Also called the Filipino “stringed band” these groups play a wide range of repertoire, from folk,
modern and even foreign classical music. These are mostly transcrip ons of the vocal and instrumental composi ons.
The usual instruments found within a rondalla are the bandurria, laud, octavina, guitar, and double bass. Rondallas are
found throughout the country, especially in many public schools.
Avenues for Musical Exposure

The indigenous and art music of the Philippines are a valuable treasure to our cultural heritage. As such, we should seek
opportuni es to watch, listen, and appreciate live performance and others .related events that showcase Filipino music,
tradi on, culture, and talent. Sadly our na ve music has not been able to permeate the mainstream society, and this
huge collec on of music is almost not heard in radio waves and others forms of mass media in the country. Here are
some ins tu ons that may help as create an interest, awareness, and apprecia on for our own local musical arts

NAMCYA - (Na onal Music Compe ons for Young Ar sts) Established in 1973, these are annual compe ons that
showcase promising musician in different performing categories, such as in piano, strings , winds, choral singing,
rondalla, and voice. These compe ons starts from the provincial/regional level and conclude with the na onal finals,
which are usually held at the CCP (Cultural Central of the Philippines) from late November to early December each year.

Concert at the Park

“Concert at the Park” is a regular series of music performance which has been on going for quite some me. These
concerts are held at the Luneta Open air Auditorium, and are also some mes aired simultaneously via television. Its
concerts are open public

Paco Park Presents

Just like “ Concert at the Park”, this regular series of outdoor music performances are held at a different venue. Historic
Paco Park, which is actually a cemetery from Spanish colonial mes, has a large circular courtyard where the concerts are
held.

Bamboo Organ Fes val

St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Pinas is home to an annual classical music fes val, usually held during mid or late
February. Its grand an que, made almost en rely of bamboo, was constructed in 1824. its a popular tourist des na on,
and this unique was declared na onal cultural treasure of the Philippines. The Bamboo Organ Fes val concerts are on
the public