Middle Ages to Early Polyphony:

Chapter 4:

Two historical period:

• early middle ages: 400 to 1000 AD

• later middle ages: 1000 AD to 1400 AD

• feudalism with kings, queens, nobles, servants
• more centralized economic system involving trade and commerce
• middle class arose in the later middle ages
• christianity increased the availability of learning
• artistic endeavor was the cathedral

• an oral tradition for music to be passed from generation to generation

• from the 8th or 9th century
• liturgical music, music used in church services

Gregorian Chant is named after Pope Gregory I:

• credited by medieval legend with having created chant (even though it evolved over many centuries)

Texture of early plainchant:

• monopohnic

Kyrie Eleison

• words are in Greek (not Latin)

Melismatic

• many notes sung to a single syllable

Secular Song

• 12th century
• troubadours (poet-musicians)
• trouvères in Northern France
• wrote own poetry and music
• primary topic = courtly love

Female Troubadour:

• Beatriz de Dia
• trobairitz (female troubadour)
• late 12th century
• “strophic”, same music repeated for all stanzas of the poem
• Occitan sometimes called Provençal

vielle, bowed instrument and a low wooden flute

Polphony arose in 10th century, around 1200 A.D.

Who Wrote the great book of Polyphony?

• Leonin and Perotin

Viderunt Omnes

• free flowing
• marked by very clear-cut rhythms

Late Medieval:

• Guillaume de Machat
• administrator, poet, and composer