Markham Woods Middle

Music History

Part 1

The Middle Ages or

Medieval Period

Medieval Period: Time Span

• From: the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476

• To: the early fifteenth century– Approximately 1425– There was not an exact end to the Medieval

Period as different parts of the world transitioned at different times.

• What was before the Medieval Period?

Medieval Period: The Music

• Church Music– Most all music in this time period was written

for church and religious ceremonies– Most of the music from this period that still

exists was written anonymously– Vocal music was dominant as instruments

were usually used for accompaniment

Medieval Period: The Music

• Music as Entertainment– Most musicians were property of their king or

country’s ruler– Most secular music of the time was composed

and performed as a means of cultural influence by the king or ruler to impress their subjects and visiting dignitaries

– Much of the “royal” music was for dance– Composers had very little expressive freedom

Medieval Period: The Instruments

• Bagpipes– Believed to be

developed by herdsmen

Medieval Period: The Instruments

• Dulcimer– From the Greek

dulce melos: sweet sound

– A stringed instrument either plucked or played with spoon like hammers

Medieval Period: The Instruments

• Gemshorn– From the flute family– Made from an ox horn

Medieval Period: The Instruments

• Harp– Most ancient

stringed instrument

Medieval Period: The Instruments

• Shawm– Predecessor to the

modern oboe– Uses an internal

cain reed

Medieval Period: The Instruments

• Hurdy-Gurdy– Hand crank stringed

instrument– Change notes by

pushing keys

Medieval Period: The Instruments• Percussion

– Drums are the earliest of instruments

Medieval Period: The Composers

• Pope Gregory– Created the plainchant, later named the

“Gregorian Chant”

Medieval Period: The Composers

• Hildegard von Bingen - 1150– Ordo Virtutum (Play of Virtues)

• A play of 16 virtues versus evil• Each of the 16 virtues is

represented by a different voice in

• plainchant style - monophonic

Medieval Period: The Composers

• Alfonso el Sabio: King of Castile & Leon• “He Who Gladly Serves”• Percussion and Wind Instruments

Medieval Period: The Composers

• Francesco Landini– “Behold Spring”

• Polyphonic