MUCO Exam 1

Gregorian Chant

A body of music to which the medieval Roman Catholic liturgy was sung, consisting of monophonic, single-line melodies sung without instrumental accompaniment. Flowed with normal speech patterns. Listening example: “Dies Irae”

Organum

Earliest type of polyphonic music, 12th-14th century, elaborated upon original chant melodies, Northern France, Leonin and Perotin. Example: “Viderunt Omnes”

Mass

The most solemn service of the Roman Catholic Church. Parts of the mass most frequently set to music are the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei; Listening Example: “Kyrie” from “Pope Marcellus Mass” by Palestrina (acappella, polyphonic, duple, flows like a chant, six voices)

Motet

Acappella, four voice parts, polyphonic, use of imitation, chant melody in any voice, secular melody can be used instead of chant or completely new melody without cantus firmus; Listening Example: “Ave Maria” by Josquin (Duple, Sacred, latin, polyphonic, opens with imitation)

Madrigal

A polyphonic vocal piece set to a short poem; originated during the Renaissance; Italian or English; Italian: began in aristocratic courts, vernacular, sentimental subjects (very serious), lots of word painting, mixed polyphonic and homophonic, four to six voices; English: Lighter meanings and nonsense syllables (Fa lalala- sometimes hidden dark meanings though), predominantly homophonic, strong accents and beats= lively'; Listening example: “Fair Phyllis” by John Farmer

Opera

A drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces such as recitatives, arias, duets, trios, and ensembles with orchestral accompaniment, and orchestral overtures and interludes. Scenery, stage action, and costuming are employed. Began in Italy with Florentine camerata, lots of Greek dramas, monody (solo singer) plus basso continuo (bass instrument + chordal instrument), lots of contrast; Listening example: “Tu se morta (You are Dead)” from “Orfeo” by Monterverdi (homophonic, recitiative, tenor soloist, dialogue like,

Cantata

A choral work, usually on a sacred subject and frequently built on a chorale tune, combining aria, recitative, chorus, and instrumental accompaniment. Similar to opera but Short work with no acting and theatre, secular cantatas performed in palaces and wealthy homes and for town events, form of entertainment in italy, sacred cantatas performed as part of church services; Listening Example: “Wachet auf” (“Sleepers Awake”") Bach’s Sacred Cantata no.140, 4th (tenor chorale, strings and basso continuo, polyphonic, ritornello) and 7th movement (chorale, SATB choir, winds, strings, basso continuo, homophonic, AAB form, German w/ last phrase in Latin, congregation sing with)

Oratorio

An extended choral work made up of recitatives, arias, and choruses, without costuming, stage action, or scenery. Reallllyyyy long. Usually sacred in Latin, Italian, or vernacular. Teaches audience. Developed in Italy. Based on Bible stories but performed in concert halls. Popular during Lent when opera was banned. Listening example: Handel’s “Messiah”- “Ev’ry Valley” (Tenor aria with orchestra, homophonic, 2 violins, viola, basso continuo, word painting)

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)

Germanic nun, poetm artist, philosopher, musician, Abbess of Eibengen; saw visions and prophesis that were approved by the Pope, authorized to speak publicy, music utilizies a wider range, more melodic decoration (melisma), chant; Example piece: “O Pastor Animarum (Shepherd of Souls)- chant, antiphon (pair with reading), use of melisma, wider range, melodic leaps

Bach

German, father taught him strings, orphaned, learned organ and harpsichord, singer, many sons were famous, went blind, composed sacred and secular, cantatas, organ, instrumentals; Listening Examples: “Wachet auf” (sleepers Awake)- Bach’s sacred Cantata no. 140 Mvmt 4 (Tenor chorale from cantata, accompanied by strings and basso continuo, polyphonic, ritornello) & Mvmt 7 (Chorale from sacred cantata, SATB Choir, winds, strings, basso continuo, homophonic, AAB form, in German last phrase Latin)

Handel

Famous baroque composer, german born, studies in italy, lived most of life in England. Success with orchestral pieces, keyboard works, opera, and oratorio; Oratorios are most popular; most popular oratorio- “Messiah”: Composed in 24 days, 53 movements, three sections (prophecy of birth, sacrifice of jesus, redemption), SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra, instrumental overtures (sinfonia), majority of text from Old Testament, very celebrated; Listening example “Ev’ry valley” from Messiah- Tenor aria with orchestra, homophonic, two violins, viola, basso continuo, word painting

Josquin

Renaissance composer, Born in northern france/belgium, employed as a singer in Italy and France, taught students, composed, wrote motets masses and secular music, influenced next generation of composers; Listening example “Ave Maria”- Four voice motet, a cappella, duple meter (one triple section), sacred, Latin, opening polyphonic with imitation

Palestrina

Renaissance era, Choirmaster in St. Peter’s Rome, composed numerous polyphonic Mass settings and motets, worked during Counter Reformation (catholic), credited with creating new standards and saving polyphony with “Pope Marcellus Mass”, adhering to musical standards of Council of Trent while still being polyphonic'; Listening example: “Kyrie” from “Missa Papae Marcelli (Pope Marcellus Mass)”- composed in 1567, polyphonic, acappella, duple but flows like medieval chant, six voices, not imitative

Monteverdi

Has eight books of Italian madrigals and composed operas, Lived in both renaissance and baroque, first master of opera, Wrote “Orfeo” in 1607- introduced opera as a major art form with costumes, singing, lighting, instrumentalists, chorus, dancers, “Seconda pratica”; Listening Example: “Tu se’ morta” (You are Dead) from Act two of Orfeo- book(libretto) changed from og legend to make a happy ending, homophonic texture, nonmetric recitative (dialogue like), tenor soloist with continuo (organ and lute)

John Farmer

Wrote English madrigals as well as four-part sacred/secular works; Listening example: “Fair Phyllis”- polyphonic with homophonic ending, four voices (SATB), duple meter, heavy word painting

Henry Purcell

Baroque era, composed sacred and secular music, composed vocal and instrumetnal, organist at Westminster Abbey and Chapel Royal, composed funeral music for Queen Mary, His opera “Dido and Aeneas” is considered first English opera; Listening Example: “When I am Laid in Earth” from Act Three of “Dido and Aeneas”- adapted from Virgil’s Aeneid, operatic aria, homophonic, solo soprano with strings, five measure ground bass (repeating bass melody)

Florentine camerata

Society of scholars and musicians credited for the origins of Opera. In Florence Italy. Added melodies to greek dramas, emphasized clarity of text, and have rhythm follow textual accents

Council of Trent

council of the Roman Catholic church held in response to the Protestant reformation- Catholics decided to change some things about their church bc they were losing members and they realized some of the protestant reformers had a point with their complaints- Set forth the Counter-Reformation; In context of music, the council called for a return to simple vocal styles for text clarity (less polyphony- wanted congregation to be able to hear, understand, and sing along), Avoid loud instruments for indoor services, band secular melodies from mass settings (no sneaking in mary had a little lamb as the base of a mass, must use old cantus firmus, hymn, etc), Use Latin texts instead of vernacular (very different from protestants)

St. Augustine

Wrote “The Confessions” - talked about the power of music and how it could affect the behavior of men

Basso Continuo

Accompaniment that consists of a bass instrument (ex. cello, bassoon) and a chordal instrument (ex. harpsicord, organ, piano) —- Baroque Era