MAPEH MUSIC AND ARTS

MUSICAL ELEMENTS

  • PITCH

    • Definition: Pitch is how high or low a note sounds. A melody is made up of high and low-pitched notes played one after the other.

  • RHYTHM

    • Definition: Rhythm is made up of sounds and silences. These sounds and silences are put together to form patterns of sound, which are repeated to create rhythm. A rhythm has a steady beat, but it may also have many kinds of beats.

  • MELODY

    • Definition: Melody, or musical line, is a combination of pitch and rhythm. It is a pleasing series of musical notes that form the main part of a song or piece of music.

  • TIMBRE

    • Definition: Timbre is the sound quality or tone color; timbre is the characteristic that allows us to distinguish between one instrument and another, and the difference between vowel sounds. It generally refers to the quality of a sound made by a particular voice or musical instrument.

  • DYNAMICS

    • Definition: Dynamics expresses how loud or quiet the music should be played. Dynamics can change suddenly or gradually (Crescendo means getting louder, Decrescendo means getting softer).

  • TEXTURE

    • Definition: Texture is the word we use to describe how sound is organized. Texture might be described as high or low, depending on the pitch; as thick or thin, depending on how many notes are sounding. It may be Polyphonic (many sounds), Monophonic (single melodic line) or Homophonic (one voice stands out on top of a backing harmony).

  • TEMPO

    • Definition: Tempo means the speed at which a piece of music should be played. It has four kinds:

    • Adagio

    • Andante

    • Moderato

    • Allegro

  • BINARY

    • Definition: Binary form has two sections (AB), then, these two similar sections that are repeated throughout the musical piece.

LESSON 1: MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD (Year 1400−17001400-1700)

  • Renaissance meaning: rebirth, rediscover and revival. For musicians, this is an era of discovery, innovation and exploration.

  • Characteristics of Renaissance Music:

    • Mostly polyphonic

    • Imitation among the voices is common

    • Use of word painting in texts and music

    • Melodic lines move in a flowing manner

    • Melodies are easier to perform because these move along a scale with a few large leaps

  • VOCAL MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE

    • MASS

    • A form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of the Eucharistic liturgy into music.

    • Characteristics:

      • Polyphonic

      • May be sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment

      • Text may be syllabic (one note per syllable), neumatic (a few notes per syllable), or melismatic (many notes per syllable)

    • 5 Main Sections of Mass:

      1. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy) (Kyrie is the only section of Mass with Greek text)

      2. Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)

      3. Credo (I Believe in One God)

      4. Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, holy and Blessed Is He)

      5. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

    • MADRIGAL

    • A secular vocal polyphonic music composition which originated from Italy. It is written and expressed in a poetic text and sung during courtly social gatherings. It is the most important secular form during the Renaissance period.

    • Characteristics:

      • Polyphonic

      • Sung a cappella

      • Thoroughly composed

      • Frequently in 3 to 6 voices

  • FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD

    • Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

    • Rome, 15251525 - February 2, 15941594

    • Widely regarded as the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church music during the Renaissance

    • Majority of his compositions are sacred

    • Committed to sacred music and aligned with the desires of church leaders in the sixteenth century

    • Famous composition: Pope Marcellus Mass

    • Thomas Morley

    • 15571557-16021602

    • Born in Norwich, East England, son of a brewer

    • Singer in the local cathedral from boyhood; master of choristers there in 15831583

    • Most famous composer of secular music in his time

    • Famous compositions: Fire, Fire, My Heart; Sing and Chant it; Fantasie; April is in my Mistress Face; It was a Lover and His Lass

  • THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD (also known as the Middle Ages or Dark Ages)

    • Started with the fall of the Roman Empire

    • The Christian Church influenced Europe’s culture and political affairs

  • FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD

    • Adam de la Halle (Adam Dela Halle in transcript)

    • France, 12371237 - 12881288

    • One of the oldest secular composers; works include chansons and poetic debates

    • Musical play Jeu de Robin et Marion is considered the earliest surviving secular French play with music

  • GREGORIAN CHANTS (MEDIEVAL PERIOD)

    • Monophonic (music for a single voice or part)

    • Free meter

    • Usually based on Latin liturgy

    • Use of neume notation (used to set music to existing text)

  • TROUBADOUR MUSIC (Latter part of Medieval Period)

    • Secular music emerged; performed by groups of musicians called troubadours

    • Characteristics:

    • Usually monophonic

    • Sometimes with improvised accompaniment

    • Tells of chivalry and courtly love

    • Originated in France

    • Written in the French language

LESSON 2: MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD (Year 1685−17501685-1750)

  • Baroque meaning: The word Baroque is derived from the Portuguese word barroco which means pearly irregular shape or pearl of irregular shape. The term reflects grandiose and elaborate ornamentation in Baroque art and music.

  • Characteristics of Baroque Music:

    • Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental

    • Not easy to sing or remember

    • Primarily contrapuntal textures with some homophony

    • Dynamic contrast between loud and soft

    • Genres: Operas, Oratorios, Suites, Toccatas, Concerto Grosso, Fugue

    • Orchestra consists of strings and continuo (continuous) bass

  • BAROQUE GENRES

    • CONCERTO GROSSO

    • A form of orchestral music where the music is between a small group of solo instruments called the concertino and the whole orchestra called tutti

    • CONCERTO

    • A form of orchestral music that employs a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra

    • FUGUE

    • A contrapuntal piece, developed mainly by imitative counterpoint

    • ORATORIO

    • A large-scale musical composition for orchestra and voices that incorporates narratives on religious themes

    • Unlike theatrical works, it is usually performed without costumes, scenery, or action

    • Usually written in the native language for the intended audience

    • CHORALE

    • Musical compositions that resemble a harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the Protestant Church during the Baroque era

  • FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD

    • Johann Sebastian Bach

    • Germany, 16851685-17501750

    • A religious man; his deep faith is reflected in sacred music; known for organ, orchestra, and oratorio

    • Famous works: Mass in B Minor; Brandenburg Concertos; Cantata 208 and 211; Fugue in G Minor; Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

    • Antonio Vivaldi

    • Venice, 16781678-17411741

    • Nicknamed II Prete Rosso (The Red Priest) because of his red hair; Catholic priest and virtuoso violinist

    • Recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers; most famous work: The Four Seasons (a set of four violin concerti depicting Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter)

    • George Frideric Handel

    • Germany, 16851685-17591759; later based in London

    • Despite his father’s opposition, he secretly taught himself to play the harpsichord; gained access to a church organ at age 7; a Duke provided formal music education

    • Remembered for operas and oratorios; England’s favorite composer; lost his eyesight in 1753

    • Famous composition: Messiah

  • CLOSING

    • The Baroque period emphasizes drama, contrast, and emotion in music; the era lays groundwork for many modern musical forms and concert-hall traditions