Medieval and Renaissance Musical Period

SYLLABIC

One note per syllable of text.

TROUBADOURS

Traveling poets and musicians who flourished in European

courts.

RENAISSANCE MOTET

Serious, spiritual music used in worship services.

ADAM DE LA HALLE

Known as Adam the Hunchback, a poet-musician and

pioneer of French secular theater.

CONSORT

A group of musical instruments playing together.

NEUMES

Early musical signs or symbols used in manuscripts.

WORD PAINTING

Music illustrates or imitates the meaning of the text.

WILLIAM BYRD

Brought the Italian madrigal tradition to England.

GOTHIC MOTET

Based on Gregorian chant and may contain secular words.

ALBA

A morning song for lovers.

JONGLEURESSES

Female entertainers who sang, danced, juggled, did tricks, and

performed with animals.

JOSQUIN DES PREZ

Called the Master of Notes.

BROKEN CONSORT

Group of instruments from different families (e.g., strings +

woodwinds).

CANSO

A love song admiring a woman's beauty and virtue.

ORLANDO DE LASSUS

Composer known for his emotional, passionate music;

Master of Motet.

MINSTRELS

Lowly musicians who wandered, entertaining with songs and gossip.

WHAT DOES "RENAISSANCE" MEAN?

REBIRTH.

MEDIEVAL PERIOD

From 5th to 15th century; began after the fall of the Western

Roman Empire and ended with the Renaissance and Age of Discovery.

WHOLE CONSORT

Instruments from one family (e.g., all strings).

MADRIGAL

A secular polyphonic piece for unaccompanied voices.

CRUSADES

Songs with political themes, often supporting ventures of lovers.

GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA

Known as the Prince of Music.

MOTET

Short sacred choral piece.

MASS

A major Renaissance sacred composition