Medieval Music History: From Gregorian Chant to Modern Pop

The Eight Eras of Western Music

Western music history is categorized into eight distinct periods: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, Modern, and Post-Modern.

Religious and Secular Music

• Religious Music: Compositions created for liturgical use or influenced by religious themes.
• Secular Music: Non-religious music performed in convents, cathedrals, castles, and palaces.

During the 10th and 11th centuries, music began to be transcribed. Monks, who were among the few literate individuals, developed both monophonic (single voice) and polyphonic (multiple voices) compositions.

Gregorian Chant

As the oldest form of Western religious music, Gregorian chant accompanied the celebration of Mass. It is named after Pope Gregory I (590–604), who unified the Christian liturgy.

Key Characteristics

• Religious texts written in Latin.
• Monophonic texture.
• No defined beat.
• Vocal music performed a cappella (without instruments).
• Anonymous composers.

In the 10th century, the first written repertoire appeared using neumes to indicate tone movements and duration, typically written in square notation.

Guido d'Arezzo

Guido d'Arezzo revolutionized music by creating the musical notes, the stave, and clefs. He named the notes Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, and La, dedicating them to Saint John.

Schools of Composition

• Ars Antiqua (12th–13th Century): Formed at Notre Dame by Leonin and Perotin.
• Ars Nova (14th Century): Named after the influential book by Philippe de Vitry.

Secular Vocal Music

Troubadours, who were poets and musicians, composed monophonic secular music in palaces and castles. They performed in romance languages, with French troubadours famously writing love poetry.

The World of Instruments

Instruments—including string, woodwind, brass, and percussion—were used to accompany singing and dancing. Notably, the organ was the only instrument permitted within the church.

Modern Pop Music

Modern music follows the "pop-music formula," characterized by catchy melodies, a repeating chorus, and two or more verses. Most tracks are between two and five minutes long. Contemporary examples include:

• Country: Taylor Swift
• Rock: Radiohead
• Singer-Songwriters: Ed Sheeran
• R&B and Soul: Beyoncé and Adele
• Rap: Eminem

Recommended Listening

• Hymn to Saint John (Gregorian Chant)
• O Fortuna! from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff
• Stella Splendens (Llibre Vermell de Montserrat)
• Santa Maria, Strela do Dia (Alfonso X)