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Period: 500 to 1450
Medieval Period
Musical practices were expanded from Greece and other locations to the West through the Chrisitan Church and Roman Catholic Church.
Musical terminology was developed.
Gregorian Chant, Plainchant, Motet, Ars Nova and Mass were established.
Rhythmic Notation was developed. -
1025
Guido of Arezzo's formulation of the Solmization System
ca. 1025-1028
Set of syllables (ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la) used to teach sight-singing.
Helped the singers to remember the pattern of whole tones and semitones in the six steps (hexachords) beginning on C, G, or F
Associated with the Guidonian Hand (visual aid for solmization) -
1098
Hildegard of Bingen
Lived from 1098 to 1179
Writer and composer (poems, proses and songs).
Best recorded and most known composer of sacred monophony.
Texts focused on the Virgin Mary, the Trinity, or saints
Major work was Ordo virtutum, additionally 43 antiphons, 18 responsories, 7 sequences, 4 hymns, 5 other chants. -
1320
Ars Nova Treatise
Attributed to Philippe de Vitry (ca. 1291-1361).
New way of composing in the 14th century.
Stylistic and technical innovations: creation of the breve and subdivison (long-breve, breve-long, breve-breve-breve), perfect and imperfect time, major and minor prolation (signaled by the presence or absense of a dot). Allowed for duple and triple subsivision.
Centered on rhythm and notation.
Leading composer in France Guillaume de Machaut (ca. 1300–1377). -
Period: 1450 to
Renaissance Period
"Rebirth"
15th sencutry: Consonants 3rds and 6ths were adopted in Europe. Homophonic and homorhythmic textures emphasized similarities in voices. Four part textures, equal voice importance. Borrowing melodies (common in secular and sacred music) 16th century: driven by humanism. Wordpainting was used. Controlled dissonance and voice independence. Chromatism explored, homophony returned. Instrumental music evolved. Period genres were: Chason, cyclical mass, motet, madrigal, villancico -
1529
Martin Luther Chorale "Ein Feste Burg ist unser Gott"
"A Mighty Fortress is our God" by Martin Luther
Best known chorale he composed.
It became an anthem to Reformation.
Chorales were characterized by having only a text and a tune. Metrical and simple. -
1538
Arcadelt Madrigal "Il Bianco E Dolce Cigno"
"The White and Sweet Swan" by Jacob Arcadelt
One of the most famous early Madrigals.
Swan death is the metaphor of sexual climax.
Sweet, homophonic texture. -
1567
Palestrina's Pope Marcellus Mass
Example of Palestrina's style
It saved polyphony from being condemned by the Council of Trent.
He demonstrated that text can be understood in polyphonic work instead of being obscured. -
Victoria's "Missa O Magnum Mysterium"
Parody Mass by Tomás Luis de Victoria.
Based on his polyphonic motet O Magnum Mysterium. -
Period: to
Baroque
Period that summarizes the "delightfully flamboyant, theatrical, and expressive tendencies of the 17th century art"
Began in Italy.
Public concerts and operas rose.
Instrumental music started gaining prominence.
"All the arts of this period sought to move the emotions and conjure the passions, or affections, in the soul." -
L'Orfeo
Composed by Monteverdi
One of the most important operas.
Combined elements from the renaissance and the baroque.
Tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Uses word-painting and seconda practica. -
First Public Concerts in England
The precedent to this was public opera houses established beginning in Venice in 1637, however the practice of public concerts was not widespread until the later 1700's -
Johann Sebastian Bach
Lived from 1685 to 1750
Organist and violinist.
Leading composer of this period.
Prolific composer of every genre except opera.
His compossitions weren't as prominent until after his death. -
L'Estro Armonico
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi.
First collection of his concertos.
Established the standard of concerto grosso.
Bach's interest and transcription of L'Estro Armonico lead to the revival of Vivaldi's work. -
The Well-Tempered Clavier Vol. 1
Composed by J.S. Bach
Book of 24 preludes and fugues.
Used all twelve major and minor keys.
"designed to explore the possibilities of playing in all keys on an instrument tuned in near-equal temperament, then still novel for keyboards" -
Traité de l'harmonie
By Jean-Phillippe Rameau
It's the foundation of the theory of harmony.
Established concepts like the fundamental bass and harmonic progression.
Influenced the development of music theory.
It became the main way of teaching harmony. -
Franz Joseph Haydn
Lived from 1732 to 1809
Most celebrated composer of his day.
Spend nearly 30 years at the court of Prince Paul Anton Esterházy
Had an important role in the development of the symphony and the string quartet. -
Messiah
Oratorio composed by Handel, his most famous work.
Contemplates the Christian idea of Redemption.
"the music of Messiah is typical of Handel, full of his characteristic charm, immediate appeal, and mixture of traditions." -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lived from 1756 to 1791
Known first as a child prodigy.
One of the leading composers of the classical period.
His music was characterized by emotional depth and melodic beauty. -
Period: to
Viennese Classical Period
Characterized by melodic clarity, balance, elegance, regularity, simplicity, and memorable melodies. -
Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges as director of Concerts des Amateurs
Also known as Joseph Bologne
Directed Concert des Amateurs, one of the finest orchestras in Europe, from 1773 until 1781
Players were not professional performers. -
Don Giovanni
Mix of comic opera and opera seria composed by W.A. Mozart
The opera tells the story of Don Giovanni, a libertine and seducer, who later faces the consequences of his own immoral actions. -
Haydn's Symphony No. 94 "Surprise"
Premiered in London
Used loud, unexpected chords in the usually quiet second movement.
Is an example of Haydn's wit and creativity.