Conductus is fundamentally different from a motel.
Motel: Typically built upon preexisting material.
Conductus: Original composition, often characterized by syllabic writing.
Syllabic Writing: Each syllable is represented by a single note.
Example of Syllabic Writing
Example text: "A flower bloom like a rose when the virgin Mary gave birth to the savior of all people, the son of the highest father."
Emphasis on the Virgin Mary as a key figure in this context.
Use of Dissonance
Slight use of dissonance in melodies is noted for producing stunning overtone series.
Dissonance was used sparingly during this period.
Notation in Music History
Discussion on the pedagogical approaches to music history notation.
Personal stance against merely teaching medieval notation without context.
Franconian Notation
Focus on how notation worked historically.
Franconian Notation: Early form of musical notation that introduced notational values related to note durations.
The Scribe/Monk wrote music using a pen that allowed for a variety of note thicknesses.
Long Note: Resembles a dotted half note or a half note (stem on one side).
Brieve: Looks like a tie fighter, typically a quarter note.
Semibreb: Shaped like a small black diamond, corresponds to a whole note.
Development of Petronian Notation
Petronian Notation: Further advances in notation introduced by Petronius.
Minimum: Similar in appearance to semibreves but smaller, representing half of a semibreve.
Semi-Minimum: Depicted with a little flag; represents half a minimum.
Mensuration Signs
Mensuration Signs introduced as an attempt to establish early forms of time signatures.
Correlations made between imperfect and perfect time signatures (e.g., 2/4 vs 3/4).
Different symbols used to represent various durations and time signatures.
Transition to Chapter 3: Music in the 14th Century
Introduction to music styles in the 1300s.
Predominantly international music style due to the influence of the Catholic Church.
Latin Language: A universal language used in music composition.
Introduction of Ars Nova
The term Ars Nova coined by Philippe de Vitry in France.
Significant factors driving this new art form include:
Increased use of minimums and semiminims, allowing for quicker note values (akin to eighth notes and sixteenth notes).
Duple Meter beginning to gain prominence alongside triple meter, as styles evolved.
Imperfection of notes by remote values leading to greater rhythmic flexibility.
Use of colored inks to denote differences in note values, with red ink indicating a lesser value (e.g., a brief written in red ink receiving two-thirds of the value compared to black).
Importance of Notation in Polyphonic Masses
Few complete polyphonic masses were composed and survived due to challenges in preservation (e.g., destruction by fire or water).
Composers primarily focused on polyphonic settings for frequent mass parts rather than complete masses.
Mass Settings of Note: Only three complete polyphonic mass cycles survived, with only one being a complete setting of the ordinary.
The Mass of Notre Dame
The only complete ordinary version of the mass known to have survived.
Based largely on pre-existing plain chant liturgical music.
Characteristics of the Polyphonic Masses
Few complete settings; specific parts set polyphonically (often parts of the ordinary).
Lack of thematic unity in compositions.
Isorhythm in the Music
The concept of Isorhythm introduced by twentiety-century historians.
Teleya: Fixed rhythm pattern within isorhythm.
Calor: Fixed melodic pattern.
Inclusion of Hockets (syncopation derived from the Latin word for hiccup).
Analysis of Structures in Mass Music
Discussion of vocal structures:
Tenor not the lowest line; introduction of Contra Tenor as the lowest voice in polyphony.
The Cadences and Double Tone Leading Cadences explored.
The Kyrie: A Case Study
Writing in a syllabic style akin to conductus, specifically in Michaud's works.
Use of hiccups in the triplet; apparent leaps in melodies.
Inclusion of musica ficta: Annotations added later by editors, implying common adjustments by singers to avoid dissonances.
The Composer Guillaume de Machaut
Noteworthy contributions as both a composer and a poet.
First known polyphonic setting of a mass ordinary.
Role as a composer extended throughout courts, engaging in secular poetry set to music.
Secular Song Forms
Discussion of Form Fixe in medieval music and the structure of various forms:
Ballade: Consists of three stanzas; last line serves as a refrain.
Lyric example given: "I can well compare my lady to Pygmalion's ivory sculpture."
Terminology and structures discussed extensively, including thematic references to Greek mythology and Christian imagery.
Challenges in Modern Interpretations
Considerations regarding the survival of music and how historical context informs modern understanding.
Need for listening exercises to demonstrate the nuances of early polyphonic musical styles.
Closing Remarks on Class Content
A brief outline of the next steps in the course and encouragement for students to prepare for meetings or performances.