Medieval and Renaissance Music: History and Characteristics
Unit 3: Music in the Middle Ages
From the 5th to the 14th century, music was primarily heard in churches and monasteries. Monasteries listened to Gregorian chant.
Characteristics of Gregorian Chant:
- Texture: Monodic, a single voice
- Timbre: Vocal, a cappella, no instruments
- Text: Latin
- Composer: Anonymous, they did not sign their names out of humility
- Movement: Slow, no rush
- Rhythm: No marked beats, open, dependent on the text, not repetitive
- Melody: Long, according to the text or voice
- Character: Relaxing, promoting a sense of peace
The Troubadours were refined poets and musicians who sang about the chivalrous ideals of the time, such as love and humor, in their own language. Their songs were monodic. The official music of the church was in Latin, as it was the language of worship.
Polyphony, where more than one melodic voice is articulated with a single melodic line, appeared in the 10th century.
Example of Gregorian chant: “Cantiga X, Alfonso the Wise”
Example of Troubadour singing: “Be m’abelha. Bernat de Palol”
Characteristics of Troubadour Singing:
- Texture: Monodic, a single voice
- Timbre: Vocal, with instrumental accompaniment
- Text: In the distinct vernacular languages, human-themed
- Composer: Troubadours and trobairitz
- Movement: According to the character
- Pace: Marked with rhythm
- Melodies: Singable
- Character: Sensual, expressing emotions
Unit 4: Music in the Renaissance
From the 15th to the 16th century, the Renaissance began in Florence, Italy, and expanded throughout Europe. Renaissance artists were interested in two cultures: Classical Roman and Greek. They reflected the ideals of the humanist movement that had developed in Europe in the 18th century.
Humanism in the Renaissance:
Humanism was a cultural movement that focused on human thought. A patron was someone interested in culture and who funded artists.
The most popular forms of this period were songs and the Madrigal. The Madrigal was an Italian vocal form for four or five voices, with a complex and descriptive polyphonic texture. Renaissance songs often dealt with human emotions. The texture used was homophonic.
Instruments Used in the Renaissance:
- Strings: Brass, violin, hand violin
- Bowed strings: Violin and viola da gamba
- Keyboard strings: Harpsichord
- Wind: Serpent, bombard, cornetto, flute, soprano flute, sackbut, and bagpipes
Polyphonic instruments are non-melodic instruments. Thanks to the printing press, scores could be written.
Example of religious music: “Requiem Mass”