Class 18- Unifying the polyphonic mass

What is a polyphonic mass cycle?

A genre called a polyphonic mass cycle refers to a complete set of all 5 main items of the Ordinary (KGCSA), composed as a unified work.

What characteristics do composers use to unify mass movements?

Composers used techniques like borrowing plainsong, using a head motive (motto mass), and employing a fixed cantus firmus in the tenor.

Who were the main English composers leading the development of the polyphonic mass cycle in the 15th century?

The main English composers were John Dunstable and Leonal Power.

What is the function of the cantus firmus in a Cantus Firmus Mass?

The cantus firmus serves as a fixed tune placed in the tenor for each of the movements, linking them together.

What is a motto mass?

A motto mass is when each movement of the mass begins with the same melodic motive, referred to as a head motive.

What is the significance of Du Fay's Missa Se la face ay pale?

It is the earliest known complete mass to use a secular tune as a cantus firmus, leading to a trend of using popular melodies for mass settings.

What is the role of the added lower voice in early cantus-firmus masses?

The added lower voice, called the contratenor bassus, provided greater harmonic possibilities and became the norm by the end of the 15th century.

What musical techniques did Du Fay employ in his Gloria from Missa Se la face ay pale?

Du Fay preserved the rhythms of the original ballade, utilized a head motive, and had distinct layers within each voice, reflecting a complex texture.

What does the term 'head motive' refer to in the context of motto mass?

A head motive is the same melodic motive that begins each movement of the mass.

What influence did English music have on continental composers during the 15th century?

Continental composers adopted the English consonance of 3rds and 6ths, as well as the trend of writing unified settings for the Mass Ordinary.

How did the use of secular melodies in mass settings change the composition of the mass?

Using secular melodies in mass compositions allowed for a deeper connection between the text of the original song and the themes of the mass.

What is the typical form of a Cantus Firmus Mass?

A typical Cantus Firmus Mass involves the same melody in the tenor across all movements, often with isorhythmic principles and varying rhythmic layers.

What was the significance of the Shroud of Turin for Du Fay's Missa Se la face ay pale?

The mass was likely connected to the Duke of Savoy's acquisition of the Shroud of Turin, making the themes in Du Fay's music particularly relevant.

What is the texture of the SATB format in polyphonic music?

The SATB texture consists of Soprano (superius), Alto (contratenor altus), Tenor, and Bass (contratenor bassus) voices.

What was a defining characteristic of Du Fay's ballade compared to his earlier works?

Du Fay's later ballade, 'Se la face ay pale,' showed more English influence and a more text-sensitive form, diverging from the fixed forms seen earlier.