Historical and Cultural Background

of Medieval Music
- composer and After the fall of the Roman
performer of Old
Occitan lyric Empire in the 6th century AD, a new
poetry during
the High Middle era started- Middle Ages. A new kind
Ages (1100–1350).
Since the
of music was shaped by that era.
word troubadour is
etymologically
This is called the medieval music.
masculine, a female Poets and musicians of the 11th and
troubadour is
usually called 12th centuries called troubadours,
a Trobairitz.
trouveres, and minstrels influenced
Medieval music, which was
considered sacred and secular.
The music of the Medieval period,
like any other kind of music,
expressed feelings that are difficult
to put into words, and words that
cannot remain silent.

Flute Lute Gittern

Lyre Mandore Zither
What is troubadour music? What about secular
music?
A period known as the Dark Ages started
in the Western Europe came after the fall of the
Roman Empire. This was the time when invading
hordes of Vandals, Huns, and Visigoths overran
Europe and generally dictated the destiny of
music, art, and literature. It was during this time
that secular music throughout Europe became
popular and was performed by the troubadours
and trouveres of France. The kind of music they
played was secular music, or one not bound by
traditions of the Church; it was not even written
down until some time after the 10th century.
 Hundreds of this songs were
created and performed (and late
notated) by bands of musicians
flourishing across Europe during the
12th and 13th centuries, the most
famous of which were the French
trouveres and troubadours. The
monophonic melodies of these
musicians, to which may have been
added improvised accompaniments,
were often rhythmically lively and had
themes that pertain to love, joy, and
pain .
 One of the most famous of these
trouveres is Adam de la Halle, who
was a composer of one of the oldest
secular music theater pieces known in
the West, Le Jeu de Robin et Marion.
Adam de la Halle
 Adam de la Halle
Adam de la Halle is a French poet,
musician, composer, and trouvere. A
history maker in the world of music
during the Medieval period, de la Halle
is known for his uniqueness and
versatility. He is a native from Arras and
had his basic education at the Cisterian
Abbey of Vaunelles- a school intended
for priesthood. He later married a
certain Maroie (in other sources,
“Marie”, who figures in many of de la
Halle’s music.
 Adam de la Halle
He lived in the Household of Robert
II, Count of Artois, who was attached to the
brother of Charles IX. The latter was soon
throned as the new king. Adam de la Halle
then became one of his servants- the start
of his fortune. He was a self- proclaimed
genius often describing himself as Maistre
(Master) because of his completion of
some advanced studies. He also explored
and mastered the monophonic
composition and its more complex form-
the motet. Adam de la Halle died in Italy in
1285.
 Adam de la Halle
Before he died, he was able to
compose 36 chansons, in the trouvere
tradition and 17 Jeux pairs- a stanzaic
dialogue between two poets. His longer
composition contains an epic entitled
Chanson de Geste, which is about a king of
Sicily (a satirical drama); Le Jeu de la
Feuilee, a pastoral drama with music; and
Le Jue de Robin et Marion, which is known
as the first comic opera. In addition, Halle
completed at least 5 essays and 16 other
refrain songs of different forms. These
were called Rondeaux. His themes usually
revolve around the concepts of love and
passion.