Medieval Music

1
Medieval Music

• Church is the dominant patron
• Gregorian chant- most surviving MSS are
  monophonic-Gregory, Hildegard
• Polyphony used (rarely) to decorate chant-
  Leonin, Machaut
• Some secular music survives- Troubadours
  trouvères

2
Renaissance Music

• Church continues as dominant patron
• Secular princes and middle class patrons
• Polyphony more common- ideal is 4 a cappella
  equal voices- imitation is frequently used-
  text matters (word painting used)
• Madrigals are important secular form
• Josquin, Palestrina, Weelkes

3
The Baroque Era

• New era, begins, c. 1600 (or earlier)
• Northern Italy
• Highly expressive style (continues elements of
  Renaissance, but often carried to extremes)
• Monumental (large-scale designs)
• Very ornate details
• Dynamic active

4
The Baroque the Arts

• Barroco misshapen pearl
• Negative connotation of Baroque
• Dynamic, active shapes
• Extreme contrasts
• Emotion favored over classical balance/control

5
The Baroque Music Traits

• c. 1600-1750
• Emphasis on expression
• New texture (soprano vs. bass)
• Basso continuo (instrumental foundation)
• Voices Instruments mix
• Instrumental music now equal
• Old style (Palestrina style) still used

6
Sources of the early Baroque Style

• Florentine Camerata sought to recapture the
  expressive power of Ancient music
• Greek Drama included sung text
• Monody solo voice w/ accompaniment
• Stile rappresentativo flexible style of solo
  singing used on the stage
• Two vocal styles- Recitative (recitativo
  recited)- Aria ( song or ayre)

7
St. Marks Church (Venice)
8
St. Marks (Venice) - nave
9
St. Marks (Venice) choir loft
10
St. Marks (Venice) choir loft
Sound ExampleGiovanni Gabrieli - Canzon in the
7th tone for 8 parts
11
Orfeo (1607)

• 1st important opera to survive
• Premiered at Court of Mantua (1607)
• Libretto based on Greek legend of Orpheus and
  Euridice
• Total theatrical experience singing, orchestra,
  acting, costumes, dancing, stagecraft, etc.

12
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

• 1st great composer of the Baroque era
• Composed both secular and sacred works
• Composer of 1st important opera (Orfeo)
• Successor to Giovanni Gabrieli at St. Marks
  (Venice)

13
Monteverdi, Orfeo(YouTube excerpts)

• Orfeo - "Toccata" and "Dal mio Permesso" (first
  solo) (Listening Guide, p. 120)
• Orfeo - Dance (Act I)
• Orfeo - Arrival of Messenger into "Tu se' morta"
  (Act II) (Listening Guide, p. 121)