Out of the Dark AgesByzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque Arts

Forms of the Middle Ages

Periods of the Middle Ages:

• This era was divided into 3 periods with unique style:

• 1. Byzantine• 2. Romanesque• 3. Gothic

The Middle Ages• This period begins

around 500 A.D.• It is known by several

names: Middle Ages, Medieval Times, and the Dark Ages

• This period begins when the Roman Empire falls to invading Muslim armies around A.D. 400.

Why call it the Middle Ages (or Dark Ages)?

• This time period consisted of a “dark” moment in the arts – there was no to minimal flourishment with visual art, drama, dance, and music.

• The reasoning behind this was due to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church had control over the arts – to go against them could result in Excommunication or death.

The Power of the Church:Why was the church so powerful?

• 1. It owned land. The church owned many large areas of farmland. People who grew crops on this land had to give 1/10 of everything they grew to the church. This was called a tithe. This was a lot of crops for many poor people to lose.

• 2. It controlled people’s beliefs. The church told people that when they died, their souls lived on forever, either in Heaven or in Hell. Hell – great pain and suffering; Heaven – wonderful beyond imagination; Purgatory – in between; they would stay until any sins had been burnt away.

The Power of the Church• 3. It was rich. Many tried to buy their way into

heaven, because the church said that you could shorten your stay in Purgatory by doing several things: Attend church and live a good life; go on a pilgrimage; buy a special pardon. These pardons were also known as indulgences.

• 4. It was not controlled by the King. Church – Roman Catholic and led by the Pope. King could not tell anyone from the church what to do. If any crimes were committed, could not be tried in normal court – worst punishment – Excommunication – banishment from the church.

The Byzantine Empire

• After the fall of Rome, the Byzantine Empire ruled the east for more than 1,000 years.

• The art forms of this time is known for crude but emotionally powerful icons – Christ, the Saints, Madonna & Child.

Byzantine Music

• Byzantine music was usually sacred and had its roots in Greek, Syrian, and Hebrew music.

• The main instruments in this music were the kithara, the aulos, and the organ.

• The words, based on the Bible, were chanted in free rhythm. They were performed in Greek.

When the Music Stopped

• Musical activity stopped with the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

• Russian and Gregorian Chant, as well the music of the modern-day Greek Orthodox Church, are all related to this art form.

More About Gregorian Chants

• During the early Middle Ages people had not yet developed a way to coordinate different instruments and melodies.

• Their music was monophonic.• Monophony consisted of a single melodic line

without accompaniment (no harmony).• Only vocal melodies.• Gregorian Chants utilized monophony in their

composition – this is the simplest type of musical organization – everyone singing the same tune.

Even More About Gregorian Chants

• Most early Christian churches used much of the music from the Jewish synagogues.

• This is called Gregorian Chants, because the 1st standard collection of chants was thought to be ordered by Pope Gregory I.

• Preserved and developed mainly by monks in monasteries.

The Beginning of Polyphony

• Later, a way to notate music was developed and then composers ventured into the use of polyphony.• Polyphony literally means “many

sounds”.

Music in Medieval Life• Music of the common

people consisted of folk songs and dances.

• Entertainment and church ceremonies.

• Public concerts did NOT exist in the Middle Ages.

• Church polyphonies (a combo of different melodies) were only performed in cathedrals, monasteries, and royal chapels.

Jongleur

• The Jongleur, the Court Jester, the Fool...these are all names of the same occupation.

• The Jongleur was the main entertainment, usually during a large banquet that could last for days.

• Let's face it...you would get really bored after sitting at a table for more than a few hours. So the Jongleurs would come and dance around, juggle, and put on a show.

• They would tell jokes, jump around, and would juggle many different items, including balls, rings, clubs, and fire.

Medieval Dance• Aka “Dark Ages”, “Middle Ages”• Arts were only allowed when attached to religion

during Medieval Period• In the beginning, moving the body was considered

sinful and prideful and so it was banned in many areas• Later, churches accepted dance with these guidelines:

men and women dance side to side (never facing) dancing in long lines with only finger tips that touched called a “processional.”

2 Types of Dances during the Dark Ages

• Farandole: early line dance, moved all around the floor

• Tarantella: pagan dance– If you were bitten by a tarantula, you were to

dance this and gradually get faster so the poison would be worked out of your body.

– Others would join forming a circle

ORQ Sample

• During the Medieval Era, dance was an art form that was usually banned from communities.– A – Explain why dance was generally prohibited

during the Medieval Era– B – Describe a specific example of one type of

dance that, as an exception, was allowed during the Medieval Era.

– C – Explain why this type of dance was allowed.

• Dancing was forbidden by the church in the dark ages. However, the church developed guidelines that allowed some dances to be performed.

Some Options for Answers…