SECULAR MUSIC IN THE MIDDLE SECULAR MUSIC IN THE MIDDLE AGESAGES

Troubadours and trouveres:Troubadours and trouveres:– First large body of secular songs First large body of secular songs

survivingsurviving– Composed during 12Composed during 12thth and 13 and 13thth c. c.

Best known troubadour: Guillaume Best known troubadour: Guillaume IX, duke of Aquitain, southern FranceIX, duke of Aquitain, southern France

Best known trouvere: Chastelain de Best known trouvere: Chastelain de Couci, northern FranceCouci, northern France

Age of chivalryAge of chivalry

Knights, Crusades, Knights, Crusades, songs about love songs about love and fighting bravelyand fighting bravely

Love songs were usually performed Love songs were usually performed by by court minstrelscourt minstrels– Notation lacks rhythm, but they were Notation lacks rhythm, but they were

probably performed with a regular probably performed with a regular meter and clearly defined beat – differ meter and clearly defined beat – differ from Gregorian chantfrom Gregorian chant

– Why do you think?Why do you think?

Southern France, some women Southern France, some women troubadours (Beatriz de Dia)troubadours (Beatriz de Dia)

Wandering minstrelsWandering minstrels– Music and acrobatics inMusic and acrobatics in

castles, taverns, town castles, taverns, town squaressquares

– Minstrels – no civil rights, lowest social Minstrels – no civil rights, lowest social classclassLevel with prostitutes and slavesLevel with prostitutes and slaves Important source of informationImportant source of information

EstampieEstampie – a medieval dance, one – a medieval dance, one of the earliest surviving forms of of the earliest surviving forms of instrumental musicinstrumental music– single melodic line is notatedsingle melodic line is notated– No instrument specifiedNo instrument specified

Common instruments were used:Common instruments were used:– Rebec – bowed string instrumentsRebec – bowed string instruments– Pipe – tubular wind instrumentPipe – tubular wind instrument– Psaltery – plucked or struck string instrumentPsaltery – plucked or struck string instrument

LISTENING TO ESTAMPIELISTENING TO ESTAMPIE EstampieEstampie

– Books pg. 90Books pg. 90

POLYPHONY: ORGANUMPOLYPHONY: ORGANUM OrganumOrganum – medieval music that – medieval music that

consists of a Gregorian chant and consists of a Gregorian chant and one or more additional melodic linesone or more additional melodic lines

Between 700-900, first steps takenBetween 700-900, first steps taken– Originally, a second melodic line was Originally, a second melodic line was

improvised, usually just duplicating the improvised, usually just duplicating the melody on a different pitchmelody on a different pitch

– Two lines moved in parallel motion in Two lines moved in parallel motion in fourths or fifthsfourths or fifths

OrganumOrganum– Between 900-1200: became truly Between 900-1200: became truly

polyphonicpolyphonicMore melodic curve instead of parallel More melodic curve instead of parallel

motionmotionSometimes contrary motionSometimes contrary motion

C. 1100, second line became even more C. 1100, second line became even more independent when independent when the chant and the the chant and the added melody added melody differed differed rhythmicallyrhythmically

Bottom line usuallyBottom line usuallylonger notes, top longer notes, top line shorterline shorter

School of Notre DameSchool of Notre Dame: Measured : Measured RhythmRhythm– After 1150, Paris: center for polyphonyAfter 1150, Paris: center for polyphony– 1163: Cathedral of Notre Dame1163: Cathedral of Notre Dame– Leonin and PerotinLeonin and Perotin: two successive : two successive

choirmasters, choirmasters, first notable composers first notable composers known by nameknown by namethey and followers are the schoolthey and followers are the schoolUsed measured rhythm – time values, meterUsed measured rhythm – time values, meter

At first, rhythm was all in threes – At first, rhythm was all in threes – representing the Holy Trinityrepresenting the Holy Trinity

LISTENING FOR ORGANUMLISTENING FOR ORGANUM Alleluia: NativitasAlleluia: Nativitas

– PerotinPerotin

YOUR TURNYOUR TURN Homework: Using the staff paper Homework: Using the staff paper

provided, compose a two-part provided, compose a two-part organum.organum.– Start and end each voice on the same Start and end each voice on the same

pitch.pitch.– Should have at least 8 notes in the Should have at least 8 notes in the

bottom voice,bottom voice,– At least 18 notes in the top voiceAt least 18 notes in the top voice