Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Music Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms, genres, composers, and characteristics of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music.

Medieval Period (700–1400)

Also called the Middle Ages or Dark Ages; began after the fall of Rome and was dominated by the Christian Church.

Renaissance Period

Era when music became a valued leisure activity; noted for imitative polyphony and widespread musical training among the upper class.

Baroque Period

Time of grand artistic ornamentation; fostered genres such as the Concerto, Fugue, Oratorio, and Chorale.

Gregorian Chant

Monophonic plainchant named for Pope Gregory I and adopted as official Catholic Church music.

Monophonic Texture

A single melodic line without harmonic accompaniment.

Latin Liturgy

Latin texts used in Catholic worship that form the basis of many medieval chants.

Modal

Based on church modes rather than the later major–minor system.

Neume Notation

Early music symbols indicating melodic contour in Gregorian chant before modern notation.

Free Meter

Lack of regular rhythmic pulse; typical of Gregorian chant.

Square Notation

14th–15th-century chant notation using square noteheads on a four-line staff.

Introit “Gaudeamus Omnes”

Example of a Gregorian chant written in square notation.

Secular Music (Medieval)

Non-religious music that emerged later in the Middle Ages, separate from church control.

Troubadour

Medieval French poet-musician who performed songs of chivalry and courtly love.

Troubadour Music

Usually monophonic songs, sometimes with improvised accompaniment, sung in French about love and heroism.

Adam de la Halle

French trouvère (1237–1288) called Adam le Bossu; composer of secular and liturgical works.

Chanson

French secular song form popular in the Medieval and Renaissance periods.

Jeux-partis

Medieval poetic debate songs composed by trouvères like Adam de la Halle.

Rondel (Rondeau)

Medieval French poetic/musical form featuring recurring refrains.

Motet (Medieval)

Early polyphonic composition combining different texts sung simultaneously.

“Jeu de Robin et Marion”

Adam de la Halle’s musical play, the earliest surviving secular French drama with music.

Imitative Polyphony

Texture in which melodic lines enter successively, echoing one another; hallmark of Renaissance music.

Concerto

Baroque instrumental work highlighting contrast between a soloist (or group) and orchestra.

Fugue

Baroque contrapuntal composition where a main theme (subject) is introduced by successive voices.

Oratorio

Large-scale Baroque vocal work with orchestra on a sacred theme, performed without staging.

Chorale

Harmonized hymn tune central to Lutheran worship and Baroque sacred music.

Concerto Grosso

Baroque form contrasting a small solo group (concertino) with the full ensemble (ripieno).

Mass

Sacred choral setting of the liturgical texts of the Eucharist, common in Medieval and Renaissance eras.

Madrigal

Secular polyphonic vocal composition of the Renaissance, known for expressive text setting.