Music in the Medieval era

The Medieval era refers to the period of Western music history roughly spanning 450–1450. The medieval era is followed by the Renaissance era.

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Hildegard von Bingen — O Sucessores

  • Hildegard (1098–1179) was a nun, abbess of rupertsberg in germany.

  • composert, wrote on theology, science, medicine

  • one of the earliest female composers with a large body of surviving work.

  • "drone" added: a background string melody that just plays one or two notes.

  • a lot quicker, wider range

  • composers were clearly fighting the church in what's allowed lol. pushing the envelope as much as the church will allow.

Machaut — Puis Qe'en Oubli (Since I am Forgotten by You)

  • prof pronounces it as /məˈʃoÊŠ/

  • first secular piece we've covered

  • a love song

  • c. 1363

  • machaut worked for royal families

  • "rondae form" — returns to A section between each section

  • 1–4 performers

  • clearer phrasing.

  • music was notated! this goes hand-in-hand with the pieces getting more complex.

  • chords.... but not modern harmonies.

  • by modern standards, many phrases go unresolved.

Machout — Notre Dame Mass, Agnus Dei

  • mid 1300's

  • religious, still featured the classic gregorian chants

  • polyphonic