Western Music History: From Organum to Madrigal

Organum

Organum, a foundational form of early Western polyphony, reached its height in the Notre Dame School of Paris, the heart of the Ars Antiqua (primarily between the 11th and 12th centuries). It involves parallel repetition of a melody, typically at a perfect fifth interval. This sacred vocal music genre enhanced musical passages by adding a second voice.

Organum Types

• Parallel Organum: An added voice (vox organalis) doubles the plainchant at a parallel fifth below. Fifths were considered perfect and beautiful, and each voice could be inflected to an octave.
• Free Organum: Showcased greater melodic independence, giving rise to the term contrapunctum.
• Discantus (11th Century): The vox organalis and main voice move in contrary motion.
• Florid/Melismatic Organum: An evolution of parallel organum, adding polyphonic flourishes and ornaments above or below the main melody, creating rhythmic and melodic independence.

Motet

The motet (from the French mot: "word") is a polyphonic composition originating in the 13th century for church performance, often featuring biblical text. It remained a significant polyphonic form until the 17th century. Characterized by multiple melodies, the motet expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries into a dramatic, imitative, a cappella vocal piece. One or more voices were added to a tenor retaining modal rhythm, often incorporating multiple texts (Latin, French). The upper voices were sung, while the tenor was sung or played instrumentally.

Opera

Opera (Italian for "musical work"), since around 1350, denotes a musical theater genre where stage action is sung with harmonized instrumental accompaniment. Performances typically occur in opera houses, accompanied by an orchestra or smaller ensemble. Opera belongs to the Western classical music tradition. Traditional opera features singing modes like recitative, aria, and arioso, alongside duets, trios, quartets, and choruses. It combines music (orchestra, conductor), poetry (libretto), performing arts (acting, ballet), and scenic arts (set design, costumes, makeup).

Monody

Monody, a musical composition for a single voice/melody, flourished during the 8th-13th centuries (Gregorian chant). Multiple voices might sing in unison or octaves. The term generally refers to any single-voice melody, contrasting with polyphony.

Madrigal

The madrigal, a composition for three to six voices with a secular text (often Italian), peaked during the Renaissance and early Baroque. It originated from the frottola, influenced by the motet and French chanson. The term is commonly associated with the late 13th and early 14th-century Italian madrigal, primarily composed for a cappella voices, sometimes with instruments doubling vocal parts.