Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION XII – SOCCSKSARGEN
SULTAN KUDARAT DIVISION

ESPERANZA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

MUSIC 9
QUARTER 1 MODULE 1
Music of the
Medieval,
Renaissance and
Baroque Periods
QUARTER 1 MODULE 1
After going through this lesson, you are
expected to:
1. identify the contribution and historical
background of famous composers of the
different
periods
2. appreciate the contributions to music of the
different composers from the three periods.
3. determine the characteristics of music during
the
Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.
MUSIC OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
(700-1400)
The MEDIEVAL Period is also known as the
Middle Ages or “Dark Ages’ that started with
the fall of Roman Empire. During this time, the
Christian Church influenced Europe culture and
political affairs.
MUSIC OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
(700-1400)
Gregorian Chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form
of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the western Roman
Catholic Church.
Characteristics of the Gregorian Chants:
• Monophonic
• Free meter
• Modal
• Usually based on Latin liturgy
• Use of Neume notation
Troubadour Music is a French medieval lyric poet,
composing and singing in Provencal in the 11th to
13th centuries especially on the theme of courtly
love

Characteristics of the Troubadour Music:

• Usually monophonic
• Sometimes with improvised accompaniment
• Tells of chivalry and courtly love
• Originated in France
• Written in the French language
ADAM DE LA HALLE
(France: 1237-1288)
Adam de la Halle was also known as Adam le Bossu
(Adam the Hunchback). He received his education at
the Cistercian Abbey of Vaucelles, near Cambral.
Adam was destined for the church, but he eventually
married. Adam was one of the oldest secular
composers whose literary and musical works include
chansons and poetic debates. His musical play, ―Jeu
de Robin et Marionǁ was considered the earliest
surviving secular French play with music.
His works include:
1. Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion
2. La Chanson du roi de Sicile
MUSIC OF THE
RENAISSANCE PERIOD
(1400-1600)
The term Renaissance comes from the word renaitre which means”
rebirth, revival and rediscovery”.
The Renaissance Period is a period of “looking back” to the Golden
Age of Greece and Rome.
Lute- was the prominent instrument of Renaissance era.
The influence of the Roman Catholic Church started to decline as
the new music genre arose. Through sacred music was still of great
importance, secular music became more prominent in this era.
This era was also known as the Golden Age of A CAPELLA
CHORAL MUSIC.
Characteristics of Renaissance Music:
• Mostly polyphonic
• Imitation among the voices is common
• Use of word painting in text and music
• Melodic lines move in a flowing manner
Vocal Music of Renaissance Period

1. Mass is a form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of

the Eucharistic liturgy into music.
Characteristics of the Mass:
a. Polyphonic
b. May be sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment
c. Text may be syllabic (one note set to each syllable), neumatic (a
few notes set to one syllable), or melismatic (many notes to one
syllable)
Five Main Sections of Mass:
1. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)
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)
2. Madrigal is a secular vocal
polyphonic music composition which
was 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 of the Madrigal:
a. Polyphonic
b. Sung a cappella
c. Through–composed
d. Frequently in 3 to 6 voices
GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA
(Rome: 1525 – 2594)
He was the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church
music where majority of his compositions are sacred music
and has a keen interest in satisfying the desires of church
leaders in the 16th century. Palestrina’s Pope Marcellus
mass is the perfect example of the counter-reformation
style. He received his early training and spent majority of
his career in various churches in Rome including Pope’s
Chapel. His first book, Masses became popular and was
greatly appreciated by Pope Julius lll. He planned to
become a priest but eventually, he married a wealthy widow
and helped him pursue a musical career throughout his life.
His Works include Pope Marcellus Mass
THOMAS MORLEY (England: 1557 – 1602)
Morley was born in Norwich, East England, the son of a brewer.
He was a singer in the local cathedral from his boyhood, and he
became master of choristers there in 1583. Thomas Morley was
the most famous composer of secular music in his time. He was
a singer in the local cathedral during his childhood and was
believed to have studied music with William Byrd, an Elizabethan
composer of sacred music. Most of his madrigals are light and
easy to sing with some aspects of Italian style.
His works include:
• Fire, Fire, My Heart
• Sing and Chant It
• Fantasie
• April Is In My Mistress‟ Face” It Was A Lover and His Lass
MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD
(1685-1750)
The word BAROQUE is derived from the Portuquese
word barroco which means “pearl of errigular shape”.
New instrumental technique and changes in musical
notation were developed. A lot of musical terms and
concepts that evolved in this era are still used today.
During this time, the arts highlighted grandiose and
elaborate ornamentation. These were clearly seen in the
musical compositions created by Baroque period.
Characteristics of Baroque Music:
• Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental
• Melodies are not easy to sing or remember
• Primarily contrapuntal textures with some homophony
• Dynamic contrast – alternation between loud and soft
• Music genres—operas, oratorios, suites, toccatas, concerto grosso, fugue
• Orchestra consists of strings and continuo
• Harpsichord and organ are the keyboard instruments that are commonly
used
Music Genres of Baroque
Music
1. Concerto is a form of orchestral music that employs a solo instrument
accompanied by an orchestra.
2. Concerto Grosso is a form of orchestral music during the Baroque Period
wherein the music is between a small group of solo instruments called
concertino and the whole orchestra called tutti.
3. Fugue is a contrapuntal piece, developed mainly by imitative counterpoint.
4. Oratorio is a large-scale musical composition for orchestra and voices that
incorporates narratives on religious themes. Unlike usual theatrical works, this is
usually performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action.
5. Chorale is a musical composition that resembles a harmonized version of hymnal
tunes of the Protestant Church during the Baroque era.
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
(Germany: 1685 – 1750)
J.S. Bach came from a family of musicians. He was taught to
play violin by his father who was then the town musician in
Eisanach. He entered school at age 7 where he was taught
religion and other subjects. He became orphaned at the age of
ten. His brother, a church organist provided for him. Bach’s
beautiful soprano singing voice helped him to be accepted at a
school in Luӥeberg. His personal and deep faith is shown in
his sacred music. He was known for his compositions for
organ, orchestra, and oratorio. His most important and long –
term position was as ―cantor” at St. Thomas Church.
His works include: • Concerto Grosso e.g. Brandenburg
Concertos (concerto grosso) • Masses e.g. Mass in B minor •
Cantatas e.g. Cantata 208 and 211 • Fugues e.g. Fugue in G
minor Toccata and Fugue in D minor Works for clavichord and
harpsichord e.g. Well-Tempered Clavier (one of his more
wellknown ketboard improvisations)
ANTONIO VIVALDI
(Venice: 1678 – 1741)
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, nicknamed il Prete Rosso ("The
Red Priest") because of his red hair, was an Italian
Baroque composer, Catholic priest and a virtuoso
violinist. Recognized as one of the greatest Baroque
composers because of his influence during his lifetime
was widespread over Europe. Vivaldi is known mainly
for composing instrumental concertos, especially for
the violin, as well as sacred choral works and over
forty operas. He entered the priesthood and was
ordained in 1703. Vivaldi is well-known for giving the
strings a major role in his compositions. His most
famous piece is The Four Seasons. This composition
is a series of four violin concerti depicting each of the
seasons, ―Spring, ―Summer, ―Autumn, and
―Winter.
His work includes: • The Four Seasons
GEORGE FRIEDRICH HANDEL
(Germany: 1685 – 1759)
George Händel was the second son from the
second marriage of a pastor. Despite his father’s
opposition, George secretly taught himself to play
the harpsichord. At age 7, he gained access to a
church organ and started to play. Händel is
remembered for his operas and oratorios. Handel
became England’s favorite composer. He had given
English audiences music that in variety and interest
rivalled anything they could remember. Handel lost
both of his eyesight in 1753. When he conducted
his oratorio, ―Samson,” a few in the audience were
unaware that he had lost his eyesight. The Messiah
is Hӓndel’s most famous creation and the well
known ―Hallelujahǁ chorus is part of Hӓndel’s
Messiah. His work includes: • Messiah