Medieval

Period Music
Medieval Period
 Also called as “middle ages” or transition
period
 From 400-1400 A.D.
 Began with the fall of the Roman Empire
 The Roman Catholic became very
influential
Medieval Period
 First musical notations took place during
this period
 Foundation was laid for the notational and
theoretical practices that would shape the
Western Music
Gregorian Chant
 Central tradition of Western plainchant
 Developed in Western and Central Europe
during the 9th-10th centuries
 Credited to Saint Pope Gregory I
 Organized into 12 modes
Gregorian Chant
 Traditional sung by church choirs of men
 Written in Neume, an early form of musical
notation
 Guido d’Arezzo – person who invented the
musical staff
 Monophonic in texture
 Texts are in Latin
Assignment:
 Research about the Medieval Secular Music
and some famous Medieval Composers
MEDIEVAL
SECULAR
MUSIC
Sociocultural Influences
on Music
 Rise and development of polyphonic forms
 System of notation
 Western society are becoming more
independently, economically and
intelectually
 Medieval Secular
Music
Music that focuses on chivalry, dances and
romance
 Overcomes Sacred Music during the 14th
century
 Had a narrow range
 Used many string instruments when
performing
Minstrels
 It is an European medieval wandering
musicians and moved from town to town to
make money
 Jongleurs
Troubadours
Trouvere
Minnesingers
Troubadour
 A composer and performer during the High
Middle Ages
 Trobairitz – female version of troubadour
 Began in the late 11th century
 Themes of musical composition: chivalry
and courtly love
Adam de la Halle
 Also known as Adam le Bossu
(Adam the Hunchback). He is a
French-born trouvere, poet and
musician. He is most famous for his
musical play “Jeu de Robin et
Marion”.