Markham Woods Middle Music History

1
Markham Woods MiddleMusic History

• Part 1
• The Middle Ages or
• Medieval Period

2
Medieval Period Time Span

• From the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476
• To the early fifteenth century
• Approximately 1425
• There was not an exact end to the Medieval Period
  as different parts of the world transitioned at
  different times.
• What was before the Medieval Period?

3
Medieval Period The Music

• Church Music
• Most all music in this time period was written
  for church and religious ceremonies
• Most of the music from this period that still
  exists was written anonymously
• Vocal music was dominant as instruments were
  usually used for accompaniment

4
Medieval Period The Music

• Music as Entertainment
• Most musicians were property of their king or
  countrys ruler
• Most secular music of the time was composed and
  performed as a means of cultural influence by the
  king or ruler to impress their subjects and
  visiting dignitaries
• Much of the royal music was for dance
• Composers had very little expressive freedom

5
Medieval Period The Instruments

• Bagpipes
• Believed to be developed by herdsmen

6
Medieval Period The Instruments

• Dulcimer
• From the Greek dulce melos sweet sound
• A stringed instrument either plucked or played
  with spoon like hammers

7
Medieval Period The Instruments

• Gemshorn
• From the flute family
• Made from an ox horn

8
Medieval Period The Instruments

• Harp
• Most ancient stringed instrument

9
Medieval Period The Instruments

• Shawm
• Predecessor to the modern oboe
• Uses an internal cain reed

10
Medieval Period The Instruments

• Hurdy-Gurdy
• Hand crank stringed instrument
• Change notes by pushing keys

11
Medieval Period The Instruments

• Percussion
• Drums are the earliest of instruments

12
Medieval Period The Composers

• Pope Gregory
• Created the plainchant, later named the
  Gregorian Chant

13
Medieval Period The Composers

• Hildegard von Bingen - 1150
• Ordo Virtutum (Play of Virtues)
• A play of 16 virtues versus evil
• Each of the 16 virtues is represented by a
  different voice in
• plainchant style - monophonic

14
Medieval Period The Composers

• Alfonso el Sabio King of Castile Leon
• He Who Gladly Serves
• Percussion and Wind Instruments

15
Medieval Period The Composers

• Francesco Landini
• Behold Spring
• Polyphonic