MODULE 3,4: Music of Medieval and Baroque Period

• Medieval period


  Also known as the middle ages or dark ages, started with the fall of the roman empire
• Gregorian chants

  • Monophonic (music written for only one voice or part)
  • Free meter
  • Based on latin liturgy
  • Uses neume notation (used to set music to an existing text)
• Gregorian chants - The approved music of the catholic church, named after Pope Gregory II.
• Adam Dela Halle


  One of the oldest secular composers, his musical play "Jeu de Robin et Marion" was considered the earliest surviving secular French play with music.
• Baroque period


  Derived from the portuguese word barroco, meaning "pearl of irregular shape", arts highlighted grandiose and elaborate ornamentation
• Baroque music


  • Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental, not easy to sing or remember
  • Primarily contrapuntal textures with some homophony
  • Dynamic contrast (alteration between loud and soft)
  • Genres include operas, oratorios, suites, toccatas, concerto grosso, and fugue
  • Orchestra consists of strings and continuous harpsichord and organ are the keyboard instruments commonly used
• Concerto grosso


  A form of orchestral music with a small group of solo instruments (concertino) and the whole orchestra (tutti)
• Concerto


  A form of orchestral music that employs a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra, with the solo instrument as the main focus
• Fugue


  A contrapuntal piece developed mainly by a meditative counterpoint imitative from the word imitation
• Oratorio


  A large-scale musical composition for orchestra and voices that incorporates narratives on religious themes, usually performed without costumes, scenery or action, and written in the native language
• Chorale


  A musical composition that resembles a harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the protestant church
• Johann Sebastian Bach


  A religious man, his personal and deep faith is shown in his sacred music, known for his compositions for organ, orchestra and oratorio, famous works include Mass in B minor, Brandenburg Concertos, Cantata 208 and 211, Fugue in G minor, and Toccata and Fugue in D minor
• Antonio Vivaldi


  An Italian baroque composer, catholic priest and virtuoso violinist, nicknamed "il prete rosso" (the red priest) because of his red hair, recognized as one of the greatest baroque composers, his most famous piece is The Four Seasons
• George Frideric Handel


  Despite his father's opposition, he secretly taught himself to play the harpsichord at age seven, gained access to a church organ and started to play, became England's favorite composer, lost both of his eyesight in 1753 but continued to perform, his most famous composition is Messiah