Medieval and Renaissance Music: Chant, Polyphony, and Dance

Music History: Middle Ages and Renaissance

Prehistoric Music Origins

Musicology

Musicology investigates all aspects related to the origins of music.

Preservation

No musical notation from this era is preserved, only potentially related, indecipherable symbols or hieroglyphics.

Music in the Middle Ages (c. 476 - 1400)

Historical Context

The Middle Ages began with the fall of the Roman Empire and lasted nearly 1000 years. In ancient Greece, music was considered a gift from the gods (Apollo was the god of music). However, during the Middle Ages in Europe, Gregorian chant was the dominant form of recorded music for a long period.

The Holy Inquisition: A judicial institution created by the Papacy during the Middle Ages, tasked with identifying individuals accused of heresy.

Catacombs: Underground refuges used by early Christians, sometimes associated with the origins of early Christian song.

Gregorian Chant

Often linked to the early songs sung in the catacombs. From the beginnings of Christian music, prayer and devotion were central. This monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song style flourished significantly from the 7th to the 17th centuries.

Secular Musicians

Troubadours

Poet-singers originating in Provence during the High Middle Ages. This tradition became fashionable during the 11th century. The first known troubadour was William IX, Duke of Aquitaine (William of Poitiers). They were typically members of the nobility.

Jongleurs (Entertainers)

Medieval European performers skilled in playing instruments, singing, juggling, and other entertainments. They differed from troubadours mainly due to their often humbler origins.

Secular Music Influences

Two major influences on secular music were the lyric poetry of the troubadours and epic poems.

Music in the Renaissance (c. 1400 - 1600)

This era saw significant developments in musical style and practice, building upon medieval foundations.

Key Developments: Polyphony and Counterpoint

Polyphony: Music featuring multiple independent melodic voices sounding simultaneously.

Counterpoint: A compositional technique used in polyphony that aims for maximum rhythmic and melodic independence among the different voices.

Religious Polyphony

Religious polyphony often featured a primary voice (cantus firmus) whose melody was derived from Gregorian chant. Voices were typically categorized from high to low:

• Triple (Treble/Superius): The highest, often most melodious voice.
• Alto (Altus): A middle voice, sometimes carrying the pre-existing chant melody.
• Tenor: Often carried the pre-existing chant melody (cantus firmus) in earlier polyphony.
• Bajo (Bassus/Bass): The lowest voice, providing harmonic foundation.

Secular Polyphony

Characteristics

Secular polyphony increasingly used vernacular languages, drew inspiration from folk and troubadour traditions, and allowed for more daring harmonic and rhythmic explorations compared to sacred music.

Important Forms

• Chanson: A French polyphonic song genre, typically with verses and a regular rhythm. The main melody is often in the highest voice.
• Carol: Originally a processional dance song, it evolved into a song type often characterized by a popular, festive, or devotional style.
• Madrigal: An intensely expressive Italian genre, usually sung a cappella (unaccompanied voices) by soloists or small groups, known for its close relationship between text and music (word painting).

Renaissance Dance

Before the 15th century, dance steps were primarily transmitted through oral tradition. From the 15th century onwards, choreographies began to be written down, leading to the emergence of the first dance schools and masters. Principal dances included:

• The Pavane (a slow, stately court dance)
• The Galliard (a lively, leaping dance often paired with the Pavane)
• Early forms of Ballet (developing in court spectacles)