Music of the

The Medieval period also Medieval Period

known as the Middle Ages or
"Dark Ages" that started with
(700 – 1400)
the fall of the Roman Empire.
During this time, the Christian
Church influenced Europe’s
culture and political affairs.
Sacred
Music
 • It is the central tradition of
Western plainchant, a form of
monophonic, unaccompanied
sacred song in Latin of the
GREGORIAN C Roman Catholic Church.
HANT • It was named after Pope
Gregory I, who made this the
approved music of the Catholic
Church.
 • Monophonic
• Free meter
Characteristics
• Modal
of the Gregorian
Chants • Usually based on Latin liturgy
(worship)
• Use of Neume notation
Secular
Music
 • It deals mainly with themes
of chivalry and courtly love.
TROUBADOUR M
USIC • Many were humorous or
vulgar satires.
 • Usually monophonic
• Sometimes with improvised
Characteristics accompaniment
of the • Tells of chivalry and courtly
Troubadour love
Music • Originated in France
• Written in the French
language
Famous
Composer of
the Medieval
Period
 • Also known as Adam le Bossu (Adam
the Hunchback)
• He was the son of a well – known
citizen of Arras, Henri de la Halle.
• He was destined for the church but he
eventually married.

His works include:

Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion
Adam de la Halle La Chanson du roi de Sicile
France, 1237 - 1288
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 Monophonic
The simplest of musical
textures, consisting of a
melody, typically sung by a
single singer or played by a
single instrument player
without accompanying
harmony or chords.
 Neume
Notation
Neumes were signs written
above the chants giving the
indication of the direction
of the pitch.
 Mode
In music theory, the term mode
or modus is used in a number of
distinct senses, depending on
context. Its most common use
may be described as a type of
musical scale coupled with a set
of characteristic melodic and
harmonic behaviors.