Introducing the first three periods of Western Music

History: Medieval Era, Renaissance & Baroque Period.

Also known as the MIDDLE
AGES OR “DARK AGES”
Started with the fall of the
Roman Empire
Christian church influenced
Europe’s culture & political
affairs.
Monophonic plainchant was a type of
music back in the medieval era,
named after POPE GREGORY I, who
made Monophonic plainchant the
approved music of the catholic
church.
 Although it was originally transmitted
orally, scholars agreed to put it in
notation to assist dissemination of
chants across Europe.
 NEUMES
 Listen to an example of Gregorian chant
that your teacher will let you hear.
Afterwards, answer the following
questions:
1. What can you say about the
plainchants? What are their
Characteristics?
2. How can you compare it to modern
music made today? (21st Century Music)
 Desciption: The introit Gaudeamus Omnes scripted in square notation
 Date: 14th – 15th Century
 Characteristics of Gregorian Chart
Monophonic
Free Meter
Modal
Usually based on Latin
Liturgy
Use of Neume notation
During the later part of the Medieval
Period, secular music (which was not
bound by Catholic Traditions)
emerged!
Most of the songs emerged were
performed across Europe by a group
of musicians called TROUBADOURS.
Usually Monophonic
Sometimes with improvised
accompaniment
Tells of chivalry and courtly love
Originated in France
Written in French language
 - Was one of the oldest
composers of secular music
- His literary and musical
works include chansons and
poetic debates
- His musical play, LE JEU
DE ROBIN ET DE
MARION, was considered
the earliest surviving secular
French play with music.
SOME OF HIS WORKS INCLUDE:

1. Le jeu de Robin et de Marion (the game of Robin

and Marion)

2. La Chanson du roi de Sicile (the song of the king

of Sicile)