Gothic Period Music

1. Gothic Period Music Irene Milidakis Cultural Studies

2. Building onto Traditions • Gothic Period Music derived from its preceding Romanesque practices • Gregorian Chant: simple, monophonic liturgical music • Also known as plainchant • Sang in unison- monophonic • One melody- no harmony • Soloist and chorus singing in unison would respond to each other • Unaccompanied by instruments - acapella Gregorian Chant-Alleluia: Angelus Domini Musical notation was introduced by Guido d’Arezzo- Depicted notes on a staff of lines

3. Organum- The Beginnings of Polyphony • Chants became more complex in the early 12th century • The beginning signs of a transition to the Gothic period • Harmony “Organum” – • Added an upper melody on top of a cantus firmus (“fixed song”) • Two different pitches sung by two singers- “organa duplum” • Simple harmonies Early Organum - example of Oblique Organum

4. Complex Progression • Ars Antiqua (1175-1315) • Beginnings of polyphony • Simple organums • Triple Meter (3/4) • Mostly used two voices • Rapid transitions in music notation and theory • Beginning use of rhythmic modes • Ars Nova (1315-1430) • Cantus Firmus used less and less • More complex rhythms • Duple Meter (2/4) • Use of many voices- “Motet” • More secular than sacred • Use of French and Latin vernacular • Rota- round

5. School of Notre DameParis, France • Notre Dame Cathedral considered epicenter of music organization in the Ars Antiqua period • The most well known composers came from this school • Complex musical notation was created • First collections of music produced- Magnus Liber Organi by Leonin c.1163

6. Great Masters of Notre Dame • Leonin (ca.1163-1190) • Great master of Ars Antiqua period • Help established polyphony • Use of improvisation- not known to have written own music • Use of organum duplum- cantus firmus found in lower voice while descanting voice moves freely Leonin- Organum Duplum • Perotin (ca. 13th century) • Great Master of Ars Antiqua • Helped established polyphony • Stricter melodic control and clearer rhythms • Added a third voice- three part motet • Still had a cantus firmus Pérotin-Alleluia nativitas

7. Ars Nova: Breaking from Tradition • Innovations- • greater independence of rhythm and polyphony lines • Tempus imperfectum- duple meter • Cantus firmus no longer used • Notable Composers- • Guillaume de Machaut -Subtle and strict melodic and rhythmic compositions Kyrie, from "Messe de Nostre Dame“ • Philippe de Vitry -Complex and fluid melodic and rhythmic compositions -Developed way of writing rhythm on musical staffs Tuba sacre fidei

8. Discussion Question • What may have contributed to the growing interest in innovating music?

9. Discussion Question • What may have contributed to the growing interest in innovating music? • Increase in intellectual thought- formation of the university brought intellectuals who contributed to the growing musical developments • Composers were open to daring innovation- as evident in Leonin’s interest in improvisation • Economical growth- The church was growing stronger (along with the cities) which brought in funds, offerings to assist in developing the arts • All other facets of the arts were expanding themselves– the architecture --

10. Reaching the Heavens • Connected to the architecture- • Sense of verticality heard in music similar to architecture- They both reached towards heaven • Subjects of these new hymns were often dedicated to Virgin Mary as were most Cathedrals • Growing complexity of music mirrored the growing textual complexity of the cathedrals’ architecture

11. Breaking Away from the Church • Gothic period music was primarily created for liturgy purposes but there was a secularization that was occurring throughout the 13th century. • Courtly society brought about a need for secular entertainment- minstrels • These minstrels would sing and dance often accompanied by instrumentals- folk and popular music • Troubadors appear in Germany in the 12th c. and call themselves minnesingers – “singers of love”- secular lyrical poetry • Troubadors would often be employed by the court as minstrels • Tantm'abelis

12. Discussion Question • What similarities are heard in the troubadour song that are similar to the polyphonic music of the Ars Nova period?

13. Discussion Question • What similarities are heard in the troubadour song that are similar to the polyphonic music of the Ars Nova period? • Rhythmic and melodic complexity • Singers exhibiting vocal ability- vocal range, constant change in pitch and tone

14. Contributions • Gothic period music greatly contributed to the developments in musical study- • All music today (both religious and secular) would still sound like the Gregorian Chant if polyphony was not developed. • Written collections of music made it possible to access and continue the musical tradition of this period and its succeeding periods. • Secularization would contribute to the massive expansion of music creation- we often forget where contemporary music derives from- not from the church but from the individual

15. Discussion Question • How is our culture still aware of these music traditions today?

16. Discussion Question • How is our culture still aware of these music traditions today? • Many European traditions would be brought over including its religion • Gothic period music was still largely a part of the religious tradition so it was one of the many art forms that were utilized by churches all over the world • Classical music was derived from church music - continuation of polyphony in instrumental form

17. References • Cunningham, Lawrence, and John J. Reich. Culture & Values: a Survey of the Humanities / Lawrence S. Cunningham, John J. Reich. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2010. Print. • http://www.classicalscore.com/gothicera.htm • http://musiced.about.com/od/faqs/f/plainchant.htm