Western Classical music 1

What do some people refer to as the dark ages? Does this apply to the entire world?

Medieval period and no it just applies to Europe

What is the genre for Western classical music?

Western art music

What is western art music linked to?

The Christian church

When was the Medieval period of Western Art Music?

From the fall of the Roman Empire to around 1400 CE

What makes us consistent in terms of music? What came out of the Medieval period?

Reading music and early forms of music notation that continued to develop over 500 years

Why did music notation start to emerge?

This was to communicate the idea of the bible as they sung to a congregation

What was the medieval period of western art music heavily influenced? What was it initially? What did it progress to?

Influenced by the Catholic Church. Initially was monophonic (one sound) but progressed to polyphonic (many sounds)

Was the Medieval period of western art music primarily vocal?

Yes it was but instrumental music for dancing did exist (less notation)

What is the Catholic mass?

It was a highly organized form of worship that followed a regular pattern of events and songs called the liturgy.

What happened to the songs sung during the catholic mass during the Medieval period?

They were codified into a series of chants

Why did a lot of the musical development come from the church during the medieval period?

This is because the most highly trained musicians worked for the church so most music development came through church music

What does liturgical mean?

Music for church

What is Aramaic? What significance does this have on Gregorian chant

It is a derivation of Greek which is what Christ spoke and is why some Gregorian chant is in Greek instead of Latin.

How was medieval instrumental music played? Was it liturgical or secular music? What does this mean?

It was played in small groups or bands. It was secular meaning that it is music not for church

What was instrumental music used for? What can be said about the instruments played during the medieval period?

Used for dance music. Many instruments from this period are early versions of the instruments we have today.

When was the Renaissance period? What does it mean?

1400-1600 CE and it means new birth

What had a profound effect on music during the Renaissance period?

The printing press as it allowed for shared knowledge and distribution of music.

How did renaissance music differ from the medieval period?

1. Polyphony became more complex

2. Instruments became better and there are more

3. Music literacy expands because people have access to printed music

Is the Catholic mass still a driving force during the renaissance period?

Yes it is but the reformation occurs which allows other denominations and ways of following the teachings of christ to emerge and so do musical forms to celebrate them.

What is William Byrd considered by many to be?

A tremendous example of renaissance polyphony

What does everything move in? Does this apply to renaissance music?

Moves in cycles from simplicity to complexity and yes it does

What is the madrigal? Is it more or less complex?

It is a polyphonic work from the renaissance that is composed on a secular text (non-religious). It is less complex

What is the madrigal considered to be?

It is poetry set to music often with placeholder syllables such as fa-la-la-la

What is an example of a madrigal?

Now is the Month of Maying by Thomas Morley

How is renaissance music different from medieval music?

The music gets more complex and voices are added

Who was Tillman Susato?

He was a composer and publisher of music and his music has stood the test of time

Was instrumental music mainly dance music during the renaissance period?

Yes it was

What are two examples of Renaissance dance music from Susatos collection called Danseyre?

1. Bass danse #1

2. Branle #26

What is bass dance?

This is a low dance where you keep your feet low to the floor

What is a branle?

It is a leaping dance

What was the first art music?

Gregorian chant