SSRM Midterm Studyguide

What was Monasticism (Intro and Early Church)

Religious life which formed the basis of the Liturgy of the Hours and chanted the psalms

What is Psalmody

The practice of singing or chanting the psalms

What was the Edict of Milan

Lifted the ban on Christianity, allowing Christians to sing and worship in Churches

Published by Emperor Constantine I

Published 313

What is beauty according to Thomas Aquinas

“That which, seen, pleases”

How did St. Augustine and other Church Fathers use the New Testament in reference to music?

Mainly through the singing of the psalms by David (ie: Psalmody)

What are some of the context for sacred music in the early Church?

Chanting of the psalms by the desert hermits / Chanting of the psalms by those in monastic life / Singing done in the catacombs for Mass / Singing Latin prayers

What is a Gradual

A chant sung between the second reading and the Gospel

Who was Machaut

1300–1377

Medieval French composer

Composed with more than one voice part (helped father the Motet)

Who was Hildegard von Bingen

1098-1179

German nun and mystic

Wrote chant with a distinct style and sound

Wrote a letter to her bishop when music was banned at her convent

Who was Thomas Aquinas

1225-1274

Dominican Friar

Wrote his Summa Theologica

Agreed music had a place in the Mass

Good Liturgical music should have: Integrity, Clarity, and Harmony

Who was St. Francis

1181-1226

Founder of the Franciscan Order

Wrote the Canticle of Brother Sun

What was the myth of St. Gregory and Gregorian Chant?

There was a myth that a dove whispered the chant into Gregory’s ear, which he then wrote down. This is not true, since St. Gregory never wrote chant.

Who where the Carolingians and what do they have to do with Sacred Music

The Carolingians were a Frankish nation who were strongly Catholic

In 789, Charlamagne publishes Admonitio Generalis which sets guidelines for music practice within the Carolingian empire.

Attempts to unify the nation via religion

Standardizes the Roman Liturgy, enforces the use of Chant, and institutes schools for clergy

What new features of sacred music emerged principally at Notre Dame in the 12th and 13th century

Introduction of Polyphony in liturgy and divine office

How did music impact the lives of various medieval saints? What do the saints teach us about the role of music for our faith and pursuit of the beatific vision

The medieval saints saw an importance in sacred music, noting both its value from sacred tradition and also personal impact. St. Hildegard noted how the Holy Spirit, which inspired the Church, also inspires sacred music. There is a connection between the body and the soul, in which the voice is the voice of the soul. Therefore, the soul, through the body, should glorify God in song.

What are some of the criticisms or adverse reactions to the rise of polyphony?

It was more performative than prayerful

The multitude of voices was distracting rather then meditative

The elongated phrasing effected the sanctity of the prayers

What is a Cyclic Mass

Musical setting of the mass parts in which there is a repeated or similar melody

What is the cantus firmus

The traditional line of chant which is then the center point of a polyphonic composition

Who was Girolamo Savonarola

A Dominican Friar who had a major impact on the city of Florence

Advocated for the destruction of secular art and music

He denounced clerical corruption, despotic rule, and the exploitation of the poor.

Called for Christian renewal

OPPOSED POLYPHONY (obscured the sacred word of God/was too feminine)

What is important to know about the San Matteo Convent

The Biffoli-Sostegni manuscript was created for the sisters of this convent, which contains copies of polyphonic music for the sisters.

Who was Palestrina

1525-1594

Renaissance composer

Led the Papal Chapel Choir

Developed counterpoint and implemented dissonance

Commissioned by the Catholic Church to revise traditional liturgical chant books

Who was Josquin des Prez

Renaissance composer

Published the Missa Hercules Dux Ferrariae.

Wrote creative and inventive polyphony

Who was Johannes Ockhegem

Renaissance composer

Used the Cantus Firmus technique in his pieces

What is Voci Pari

Meaning: equal voices

Polyphonic music written for voices in the same range (ie: SSS, SSA, TTB)

How were Sacred and Secular joined in new ways with the musical compositions of the Ordinary in the Rennaisance

Many secular melodies and terms were used within sacred music, the most notorious example coming from the La Arme mass setting. The melody was echoed throughout several songs and mass settings.

Implementation of the organ in sacred settings

What were the musical reforms at the Council of Trent and beyond the Council?

Placed emphasis on using sacred text, not secular ones.

Placed an emphasis on the clarity of the words in the music (that they should be understood through the melody)

No ban on instruments, but left up to local authority to decide

Explain the role of music to catechesis in the Early Modern Period

Young children were taught using simple songs and little plays. These children were sometimes assigned to go sing their prayers out on the streets

How was music a tool for missionaries in the 16th century

Father Pedro de Gante wrote a little picture book to assist in the catechesis of the Natives in the New World

They used music to help unite the Native’s understanding of the sacred with the Church’s teachings

Who wrote the Ave Maris Stella

Anonymous

Who wrote O Vis Eternitas

Hildegard

Who wrote Alleluia Nativitas

Perotin

Who wrote Tribum-Quoniam

Vitry

Who wrote Petre-Clemens

Vitry

Who wrote Agnus Dei, Missa L'Homme Armé

Josquin

Who wrote Kyrie, Missa Prolationum

Ockeghem

Who wrote Komm Gott Schöpfer Heiliger Geist

Luther

Who wrote the arrangement of Psalm 109

Jean Calvin

Who wrote the Laudate Pueri

Anonymous

Who wrote Kyrie, Missa sopra Je le lerray

Anonymous

Who wrote Spem in Allium

Thomas Tallis

Who wrote Tribue Domine

William Byrd

Who wrote Dios itlaçonantzine

Valdes Codex

Who wrote Kyrie, Missa de beata Virgine

Morales