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Robert SlipkovichU65949257Music in Your LifeEssay 1: Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periodsMusic has been an integral subject throughout any time period. During the Middle Ages,the Renaissance, and the Baroque periods, many advances and beautiful musical compositionswere created by composers that have stood the test of time. Political turmoil and governmentchanges have even influenced the musical output of each time period. Through any time period,the people and achievements are what truly characterize the countless highlights that have beenestablished. From the Middle Ages to the Baroque era, a plethora of musical advances haveshaped not only there time periods, but also the music which we listen to today.The Middle Ages (476-1450) had started with the decline of the Roman Empire(Enjoyment 66). This time period has also been a very religious period and many religiousstructures were also created. With religion, the famous crusades had also shaped Europe duringthis period. In more of a musical context, a monophonic, single line melody had been created;the Gregorian Chant (Enjoyment 69). This chant had its roots in a sacred setting and was popular within the churches during this time. Various chants can fall into different classes includingneumatic, syllabic, and melismatic (Enjoyment 69). These classes shape the texture and soundthat is heard with a chant. The Middle Ages also saw a rise with women in music, such asHildegard of Bingen. Bingen’s piece,
 Alleluia, O Virga mediatrix
, showed the advances thatwomen had made with music and how this time period was an era of change. Her chant followstypical medieval context by showing devotion toward the Virgin Mary. This piece alsoincorporates monophonic texture and a very basic musical structure; common for this time
 
 period. As the book mentions, “…it [Bingen’s piece] does not draw on the existing repertory”(Enjoyment 71). This statement portrays the music as being different and unique for the time period, as well as creative.Polyphony had also been introduced in this time period by incorporating two or moremelodic lines (Enjoyment 74). The early polyphony had been titled “organum” and included anadditional voice to the well known Gregorian Chant (Enjoyment 74). With polyphony came other various compositions that pressed the Middle Age advancement with music. A piece from the Notre Dame School Organum titled:
Gaude Maria Virgo
had reinforced the beauty and contextof polyphony. The piece follows Middle Age ideology and also has a sacred context. Similar toHildegard of Bingen’s piece, the Notre Dame School Organum created another composition inhonor of the Virgin Mary. The religious context had not been the only form of music, variousdance songs were also created and showed the enjoyment and happiness that the Middle Ages brought. Throughout Europe, many dancers had joined in on the care-free music types and brought different dance tunes to the period. France and Germany were just two of the most popular regions where these dancers were from and their music had spread throughout Europe.The sung dances were called “estampies” and they were secular and had a fast tempo attributedto them (Enjoyment 77). The French were not only popular with dances during this time; thechanson was also an important musical type for this period. Chansons followed a polyphonicsetting for the ordinary of mass (Enjoyment 80). This musical type had included voice and eveninstrumentation to create a blend of music that was appealing during the Middle Ages. Variousinstrumental groups had also been created in the period to accommodate the setting. Softinstruments (lute, harp, hammered dulcimer) and loud instruments (crumhorn, sackbut, cornetto)
 
had created different musical groups based on the location that the music was to be played at(Enjoyment 84).The Middle Ages were a time of musical advances that were very prolific for the time.Various religious compositions had impressed the sacred figures and icons during this time. Theincorporation of women into music had also been a great asset to this period. In general, theMiddle Ages may be looked at, historically, from the various world events that often damper themusical advances for the period. However, the musical advances had created a framework whichwas only refined throughout the Renaissance and into future time periods.The next period of study would be the Renaissance. This period was an era of “exploration, scientific inquiry, and artistic awakening” (Enjoyment 85). Learning and the artswere just two of the most popular fields of importance during this era. Exploration had led tomany advances throughout the world and even included the travels of the famed Christopher Columbus. Architecture and realism had redefined art and many surviving art relics were createdin the Renaissance (Enjoyment 86). Italy’s achievements with its artists and master-crafters hadgiven the world many creations that have rendered the definition of art. Overall, the arts and people were the focus of this period, but music was also an important part of the Renaissance.Musicians had gained employment throughout many fields and women were becomingeven more powerful in society (Enjoyment 87). The musical style of a cappella had beenintroduced in this time and it included vocal work without any instruments (Enjoyment 87).Another pivotal musical concept was introduced and was referred to as “word painting”. Thisstyle of music attempted to use instrumentation to create “pictures” of what was happening. Themotet had also been used in this period as a sacred text that was used in religious services(Enjoyment 90). An example of the motet can be discovered in Josquin’s “
 Ave Maria… virgo
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