INTRODUCTION

The first three periods of Western Music

History are classified as Medieval,
Renaissance, and Baroque. Each period
has its distinctive characteristics,
historical and cultural background
A type of music from the Medieval Era is
Gregorian Chant, which was mainly used
in the early Christian church.
Music during the Renaissance Period became an
important leisure activity. Members of the
upper class were expected to have received
musical training. Imitative polyphony is the
distinctive characteristic of Renaissance music.
The Baroque Period is characterized by grand and
elaborate ornamentation of sculptures, theaters,
arts and music. The music genres which
flourished during the Baroque Period were the
Concerto, the Fugue, the Oratorio and the
Chorale.
Music evolved alongside with man’s constant
quest for growth and development.
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson you, as a learner, are
expected to:

 Listen perceptively to selected vocal and

instrumental music of Medieval, Renaissance
and Baroque Periods.
 Explain the performance practice (setting,
composition, role of composers/performers
and audience) of Medieval, Renaissance and
Baroque Periods.
 Relate Medieval, Renaissance and
Baroque music to its historical and
cultural background through
dramatization.
 Sing selections of medieval chants,
troubadour songs, madrigals, and
oratorios with correct pitch, rhythm,
expression and style.
 Describe musical elements of given
Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music.
 Explore other arts and media that portray
Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque
elements.
 Improvise appropriate accompaniment to
given Medieval and Renaissance songs.
 Create and perform songs in Gregorian and
Troubadour styles.
 Play simple melodies of a chorale and
provide accompaniment.
 WHAT TO KNOW

In this lesson, you will learn the first

part of the history of Western music.
We will be discussing the
characteristic features of each
period, composers, historical and
cultural backgrounds.
Music of the Medieval Period (700 – 1400)

The Medieval period is also

known as the Middle Ages or
―Dark Ages‖ that started with
the fall of the Roman Empire.
During this time, the Christian
Church influenced Europe’s
culture and political affairs.
Monophonic plainchant was named
after Pope Gregory I, who made this
the approved music of the Catholic
Church. Pope Gregory’s action made
monophonic plainchants popular.
Although it was originally
transmitted orally, scholars agreed
to put it in notation to assist
dissemination of chants across
Europe.
Characteristics of the Gregorian Chants:

 monophonic - music consisting of a single

vocal part (usually with accompaniment)
 Free meter
 Modal- this term is applied most particularly
to music that is based upon the Gregorian
modes, rather than to music based upon the
major, minor, or any other scale. (A Gregorian
mode (or church mode) is one of the eight
systems of pitch organization used in 
Gregorian chant)
 Usually based on Latin liturgy - also
called church music, music written
for performance in a religious rite of 
worship.

 Use of Neume notation - is the basic

element of Western and Eastern
systems of musical notation prior to
the invention of five-line staff
notation.
The music sheet below is a notated Gregorian
Chant written in Neumes
Listen to the link that features a Gregorian Chant of
the Medieval Period

REFLECTION:
After listening to the selection, were you able to
identify the characteristics of Gregorian
Chants?
During the latter part of the Medieval
Period, secular music which was
not bound by Catholic traditions
emerged. Most of these songs were
performed across Europe by groups
of musicians called Troubadours.
 Troubadour Music:

 Usually monophonic
 Sometimes with improvised
accompaniment
 Tells of chivalry and courtly love
 Originated in France
 Written in the French language
Famous Composer of the Medieval Period

 Adam de la Halle - France, 1237 - 1288

Adam de la Halle was also known as
Adam le Bossu (Adam the
Hunchback). He was the son of a
well – known citizen of Arras,
Henri de la Halle. He received his
education at the Cistercian Abbey
of Vaucelles, near Cambral. Adam
was destined for the church but he
eventually married. His patrons
were Robert II, Count of Artois,
and Charles of Anjou, brother of
Louis IX.
Adam was one of the oldest secular composers
whose literary and musical works include
chansons and poetic debates. He was a
trouvére (a medieval epic poet in northern
France in the 11th–14th centuries),poet and
musician, whose literary and musical works
include chansons and jeux-partis (poetic
debates) in the style of the trouveres,
polyphonic rondel and motets in the style of
early liturgical polyphony. His musical play,
―Jeu de Robin et Marion‖ was considered the
earliest surviving secular French play with
music.
 His works include:

1. Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion

2. La Chanson du roi de Sicile
Music of the Renaissance Period (1400 –
1600)
The term ―Renaissance‖ comes from
the word ―renaitre‖ which means
“rebirth‖, ―revival‖, and
―rediscovery‖. The Renaissance
Period is a period of of ―looking
back‖ to the Golden Age of Greece
and Rome.
The invention of printing in the 1400’s paved the
way for a wide distribution of renaissance
compositions. With the emergence of the
bourgeois class, renaissance music became
popular as entertainment and activity for
amateurs and the educated. Lute was the
prominent instrument of the renaissance era.
The influence of the Roman Catholic Church
started to decline as the new music genre
arose. Though sacred music was still of great
importance, secular music became more
prominent in the renaissance period. This era
was also known as the ―golden age‖ of a
capella choral music.
Other historical facts during this era is
the discovery of the actual position
of earth in the solar system by
Copernicus, the invention of
compass creating a wider navigation
not only of the lands but also of the
oceans, and Martin Luther’s
Protestant reformation.
Characteristics of Renaissance Music:
 Mostly polyphonic
 Imitation among the voices is common
 Use of word painting in texts and music
 Melodic lines move in a flowing manner
 Melodies are easier to perform because
these move along a scale with a few large
leaps
Vocal Music of the Renaissance Period

1. Mass – is a form of sacred

musical composition that sets
texts of the Eucharistic liturgy
into music.
 Characteristics of the Mass

 Polyphonic
 May be sung a cappella or with orchestral
accompaniment
 Text may be syllabic (one note set to each
syllable), neumatic (a few notes set to one
syllable), or melismatic (many notes to
one syllable)
 Five Main Sections of Mass:

1. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)

2. Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)
3. Credo (I Believe in One God)
4. Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, holy and
Blessed Is He)
5. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)
2. Madrigal
-A secular vocal polyphonic music
composition which originated from
Italy. It is written and expressed in
a poetic text and sung during
courtly social gatherings. It is the
most important secular form during
the Renaissance period.
 Characteristics of the Madrigal:

 Polyphonic
 Sung a cappella
 Through–composed
 Frequently in 3 to 6 voices
 Famous Composers of the Renaissance
Period
1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Rome, 1525 - February 2, 1594
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is said to
be the greatest master of Roman
Catholic Church music during the
Renaissance period. Majority of his
compositions are sacred music. He was
committed to sacred music and has a
keen interest in satisfying the desires of
church leaders in the sixteenth century.
Palestrina’s Pope Marcellus Mass is held
up as the perfect example of counter -
reformation style. Kyrie is part of the
first two sections of the Pope Marcellus
Mass
His career reflects his commitment to the
music of the church. He received his
early training and spent the majority of
his career in various churches in Rome,
including the pope’s chapel. He was as
an organist and choir master at both the
Sistine Chapel and at St. Peter's which
may have influenced his distinctively
pure and restrained style in musical
compositions. Palestrina also served as
an organist in St. Agapito. His first book
Masses became popular and was greatly
appreciated by Pope Julius III.
Palestrina has two sons but lost them
both during the plague epidemic
that struck Rome in 1570’s. He had
planned to become a priest but
eventually changed his mind and
married a wealthy widow. This
improved his wealth and enabled
him to pursue a musical career for
the rest of his life.
2. Thomas Morley
1557 – 1602
Morley was born in Norwich, East England, the
son of a brewer. He was a singer in the local
cathedral from his boyhood, and he became
master of choristers there in 1583.Thomas Morley
was the most famous composer of secular music in
his time. He was a singer in the local cathedral
during his childhood and was believed to have
studied music with William Byrd, an Elizabethan
composer of sacred music. He received his Bachelor’s
degree in Oxford and became an organist at St.
Paul’s in London
He tried imitating Byrd in his early works
but veered towards composing
madrigals that show a variety of color,
form and technique. Most of his
madrigals are light and easy to sing with
some aspects of Italian style. His Musica
Transalpina, a collection of Italian madrigals
fitted with English text, was published in
1588 by Nicholas Yonge. Shortly after, he
began publishing his own collections of
madrigals and made significant contribution
to the history of music.
 His works include
 Fire, Fire, My Heart
 Sing and Chant It
 Fantasie
 April Is In My Mistress‟ Face
 It Was A Lover and His Lass
Music of the Baroque Period (1685 – 1750)

The word Baroque is derived from the

Portuguese word ―barroco” which
means ―pearl of irregular shape‖. Some
of the great composers of this time were
George Friedrich Handel, Johann
Sebastian Bach, Claudio Monteverdi,
and Antonio Vivaldi.
During this time, the arts highlighted
grandiose and elaborate ornamentation.
These were clearly seen in the musical
compositions created by Baroque
composers.
New instrumental techniques and changes
in musical notation were developed.
Major and minor tonality was also
created in this period. A lot of the
musical terms and concepts that evolved
in this era are still used today.
Characteristics of Baroque Music:
 Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental
 Melodies are not easy to sing or remember
 Primarily contrapuntal textures with some
homophony
 Dynamic contrast – alternation between
loud and soft
 Music genres—operas, oratorios, suites,
tocatas, concertó grosso, fugue
Orchestra consists of strings and continuo
 Harpsichord and organ are the keyboard

instruments that are commonly used

 New forms:

1. binary – AB
2. ternary – ABC
3. ground bass
4. fugue
 Music Genres of Baroque Music
1. Concerto – A form of orchestral music
that employs a solo instrument
accompanied by an orchestra.
2. Concerto Grosso - A form of orchestral
music during the Baroque Period wherein
the music is between a small group of
solo instruments called concertino and
the whole orchestra called tutti.
3. Fugue

 A contrapuntal piece, developed mainly by

imitative counterpoint

 It is usually written in 3 or 4 parts, with a main

theme called ―subject‖
 The entire piece grows mainly from a single
brief tune of strong musical character
4. Oratorio – a large scale musical
composition for orchestra and
voices that incorporates narratives
on religious themes. Unlike usual
theatrical works, this is usually
performed without the use of
costumes, scenery, or action. It is
usually written in the native
language for the intended
audience.
Examples:
a. Handel's ―Messiah,‖ ―Samson,‖
―Israel,‖ and ―Egypt‖
b. Bach’s ―Christmas Oratorio‖
c. Haydn’s ―The Creation
5. Chorale – musical compositions
that resemble a harmonized
version of hymnal tunes of the
Protestant Church during the
Baroque era.
Famous Composers of the Baroque Period

1. Johann Sebastian Bach

Born: Germany
March 21, 1685 Died: July 28, 1750
J.S. Bach came from a family of musicians. He
was taught to play violin by his father who
was then the town musician in Eisanach. He
entered school at age 7 where he was taught
religion and other subjects. He became
orphaned at age ten. His brother, a church
organist provided for him. Bach’s beautiful
soprano singing voice helped him to be
accepted at a school in Luӥeberg. A few years
later, his voice changed and Bach focused his
attention to playing the violin and harpsichord
Bach was a religious man. His
personal and deep faith is shown in
his sacred music. He was known for
his compositions for organ,
orchestra, and oratorio. His most
important and long – term position
was as ―cantor” at St. Thomas Church.
His works include:

 Concerto Grosso
e.g. Brandenburg Concertos (concerto grosso)
 Masses

e.g. Mass in B minor

 Cantatas

e.g. Cantata 208 and 211

 Fugues
e.g. Fugue in G minor
2. Antonio Vivaldi
Venice, March 4, 1678 to
Vienna, July 28, 1741
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi Antonio Lucio
Vivaldi , nicknamed il Prete Rosso
("The Red Priest") because of his red
hair, was an Italian Baroque
composer, Catholic priest and a
virtuoso violinist. Recognized as
one of the greatest Baroque
composers, his influence during his
lifetime was widespread over
Europe
Vivaldi is known mainly for composing
instrumental concertos, especially for the
violin, as well as sacred choral works and
over forty operas. He entered the
priesthood and was ordained in 1703.
Vivaldi is well known for giving the
strings a major role in his compositions.
 His most famous piece is The Four

Seasons. This composition is a series of four

violin concerti depicting each of the seasons,
―Spring,‖ ―Summer,‖ ―Autumn,‖ and
―Winter.‖
3. George Friedrich Händel
Germany, February 23, 1685
London, April 14, 1759
George Händel was the second son from
the second marriage of a pastor. Despite
his father’s opposition, George secretly
taught himself to play the harpsichord.
At age 7, he gained access to a church
organ and started to play. A Duke heard
him play and insisted on giving him a
formal music education. Under Zachau,
organist of Halle cathedral, he studied
counterpoint, canon and fugue.
Händel is remembered for his operas and oratorios.
Handel became England’s favorite composer. He
had given English audiences music that in
variety and interest rivalled anything they could
remember. Handel lost both of his eyesight in
1753. When he conducted his oratorio,
―Samson,” a few in the audience were unaware that
he had lost his eyesight. The Messiah is Hӓndel’s
most famous creation and the very well known
―Hallelujah‖ chorus is part of Hӓndel’s Messiah.
 The Messiah was written in the space of twenty –

four days in London but it was in Dublin when The

Messiah was first performed and became an instant
success.