WESTERN-CLASSICAL-MUSIC-9.docx

Medieval Period

An era from approximately 400 A.D. to early 1400 A.D., also known as the "Middle Ages" or "Dark Ages," characterized by war, famine, and chaos.

Feudal System

A form of government during the Middle Ages that divided society into five classes:king, bishop, baron, lord, and peasant.

Edict of Milan

Issued by Roman Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D. to end the persecution of Christians, allowing Christianity to flourish in Europe.

Black Death

A devastating plague, also known as the "Bubonic plague," that spread across Europe in the late Middle Ages, resulting in significant loss of life.

Gothic Architecture

A predominant style of medieval architecture featuring religious structures like cathedrals, characterized by elements such as stained glass windows.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Elaborately decorated writings that became a famous art form during the Medieval period.

Vocal Music

The dominant form of music in the Medieval period, with no records of instrumental music due to its highly improvised nature.

Melisma

A musical technique involving a group of notes sung on a single syllable of text.

Legato

A smooth and even manner of musical performance.

Church Mode

Also known as "Gregorian mode," it refers to one of the eight scales used in Gregorian chant.

Monophonic Texture

A musical texture consisting of a single melodic line, primarily used in the early Middle Ages.

Polyphonic Texture

A musical texture developed by combining several melodic lines, used in the middle to latter part of the Medieval period.

Plainchant

A form of prayer song that is purely vocal, monophonic, and intended for church use.

Gregorian Chant

A compilation of plainsong initiated by Pope Gregory the Great to unify the church, notated in neumes.

Neume

An early form of musical notation used to transcribe Gregorian chant, utilizing a four-line staff.

Troubadours

Traveling musicians of the Medieval period who entertained people, often performing songs called "Chanson" and "Canso."

Chanson

A French secular song during the Medieval period, typically lyric-driven and based on poetry.

Canso

A formal love song composed by troubadours.

Minstrels

Servants hired to perform in courts during the Medieval period.

Renaissance Period

A transformative era marked by the revival of Greek and Roman culture, known as the "rebirth."

Humanism

A philosophy emphasizing the value and agency of human beings, influencing Renaissance art and thought.

A Cappella

Music performed without instrumental accompaniment, commonly found in sacred music during the Renaissance.

Motet

A polyphonic musical composition set to a sacred Latin text, distinct from the Ordinary of the Mass.

Mass

A form of sacred music set into polyphonic structure during the Renaissance, consisting of various parts like Kyrie and Gloria.

Madrigal

A secular vocal music composition, often featuring multiple parts without instrumental accompaniment, popular during the Renaissance.

Baroque Period

An era from 1600 to 1750 known for its extravagant and ornate music, art, and architecture.

Concerto

A musical composition that unites a soloist with an orchestra, with variations like solo concerto and concerto grosso.

Fugue

An instrumental form based on imitative polyphony, featuring a subject that is repeated in different voices.

Monody

A musical texture where a solo voice or instrument dominates, accompanied by others.

Oratorio

A musical play without scenery or acting, focusing on religious themes, distinct from opera.