Out of the Dark Ages

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Out of the Dark Ages

• Byzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque Arts Forms of
  the Middle Ages

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Periods of the Middle Ages

• This era was divided into 3 periods with unique
  style
• 1. Byzantine
• 2. Romanesque
• 3. Gothic

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The Middle Ages

• This period begins around 500 A.D.
• It is known by several names Middle Ages,
  Medieval Times, and the Dark Ages
• This period begins when the Roman Empire falls to
  invading Muslim armies around A.D. 400.

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Why call it the Middle Ages (or Dark Ages)?

• This time period consisted of a dark moment in
  the arts there was no to minimal flourishment
  with visual art, drama, dance, and music.
• The reasoning behind this was due to the fact
  that the Roman Catholic Church had control over
  the arts to go against them could result in
  Excommunication or death.

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The Power of the ChurchWhy was the church so
powerful?

• 1. It owned land. The church owned many large
  areas of farmland. People who grew crops on this
  land had to give 1/10 of everything they grew to
  the church. This was called a tithe. This was a
  lot of crops for many poor people to lose.
• 2. It controlled peoples beliefs. The church
  told people that when they died, their souls
  lived on forever, either in Heaven or in Hell.
  Hell great pain and suffering Heaven
  wonderful beyond imagination Purgatory in
  between they would stay until any sins had been
  burnt away.

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The Power of the Church

• 3. It was rich. Many tried to buy their way
  into heaven, because the church said that you
  could shorten your stay in Purgatory by doing
  several things Attend church and live a good
  life go on a pilgrimage buy a special pardon.
  These pardons were also known as indulgences.
• 4. It was not controlled by the King. Church
  Roman Catholic and led by the Pope. King could
  not tell anyone from the church what to do. If
  any crimes were committed, could not be tried in
  normal court worst punishment Excommunication
  banishment from the church.

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The Byzantine Empire

• After the fall of Rome, the Byzantine Empire
  ruled the east for more than 1,000 years.
• The art forms of this time is known for crude but
  emotionally powerful icons Christ, the Saints,
  Madonna Child.

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Byzantine Music

• Byzantine music was usually sacred and had its
  roots in Greek, Syrian, and Hebrew music.
• The main instruments in this music were the
  kithara, the aulos, and the organ.
• The words, based on the Bible, were chanted in
  free rhythm. They were performed in Greek.

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When the Music Stopped

• Musical activity stopped with the fall of
  Constantinople in 1453.
• Russian and Gregorian Chant, as well the music of
  the modern-day Greek Orthodox Church, are all
  related to this art form.

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More About Gregorian Chants

• During the early Middle Ages people had not yet
  developed a way to coordinate different
  instruments and melodies.
• Their music was monophonic.
• Monophony consisted of a single melodic line
  without accompaniment (no harmony).
• Only vocal melodies.
• Gregorian Chants utilized monophony in their
  composition this is the simplest type of
  musical organization everyone singing the same
  tune.

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Even More About Gregorian Chants

• Most early Christian churches used much of the
  music from the Jewish synagogues.
• This is called Gregorian Chants, because the 1st
  standard collection of chants was thought to be
  ordered by Pope Gregory I.
• Preserved and developed mainly by monks in
  monasteries.

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The Beginning of Polyphony

• Later, a way to notate music was developed and
  then composers ventured into the use of
  polyphony.
• Polyphony literally means many sounds.

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Music in Medieval Life

• Music of the common people consisted of folk
  songs and dances.
• Entertainment and church ceremonies.
• Public concerts did NOT exist in the Middle Ages.
• Church polyphonies (a combo of different
  melodies) were only performed in cathedrals,
  monasteries, and royal chapels.

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Jongleur

• The Jongleur, the Court Jester, the Fool...these
  are all names of the same occupation.
• The Jongleur was the main entertainment, usually
  during a large banquet that could last for days.
• Let's face it...you would get really bored after
  sitting at a table for more than a few hours. So
  the Jongleurs would come and dance around,
  juggle, and put on a show.
• They would tell jokes, jump around, and would
  juggle many different items, including balls,
  rings, clubs, and fire.

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Medieval Dance

• Aka Dark Ages, Middle Ages
• Arts were only allowed when attached to religion
  during Medieval Period
• In the beginning, moving the body was considered
  sinful and prideful and so it was banned in many
  areas
• Later, churches accepted dance with these
  guidelines men and women dance side to side
  (never facing) dancing in long lines with only
  finger tips that touched called a processional.

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2 Types of Dances during the Dark Ages

• Farandole early line dance, moved all around the
  floor
• Tarantella pagan dance
• If you were bitten by a tarantula, you were to
  dance this and gradually get faster so the poison
  would be worked out of your body.
• Others would join forming a circle

dances allowed when approved by church officials
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ORQ Sample

• During the Medieval Era, dance was an art form
  that was usually banned from communities.
• A Explain why dance was generally prohibited
  during the Medieval Era
• B Describe a specific example of one type of
  dance that, as an exception, was allowed during
  the Medieval Era.
• C Explain why this type of dance was allowed.

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Some Options for Answers

• Dancing was forbidden by the church in the dark
  ages. However, the church developed guidelines
  that allowed some dances to be performed.