The spread of
Christianity
The Christian religion began as an underground sect
of messianic Judaism in the first century C.E. Its
practitioners were first persecuted, then tolerated;
finally Christianity was accepted as the official
religion of the Roman Empire. After the fall of the
Western Empire, it emerged as the central unifying
force in medieval Europe.
The development of a European culture
After the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth
century, the former Roman lands were ruled by
various barbarian lords. These lands were eventually
united by the Frankish kings, culminating in the
crowning of Charlemagne (742-814) as Holy Roman
Emperor.
The influence of Islamic culture
As the followers of the prophet Mohammed (570?-632)
expanded their territory through the Middle East and
the Mediterranean, they preserved and built on the
knowledge of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Through
conflict (the Crusades) and coexistence (the
multicultural Iberian Peninsula), Europe gained much
from its contacts with this rich culture.
Musical Context
The Music of the Church
Music was an integral part of Christian worship. The daily
liturgy provided innumerable texts, all set to music in the
style we call Gregorian chant.
The church served as an important patron of the arts,
specifically of music
Throughout the period, the majority of composers were
associated with and supported by the church.
The Beginning of Musical Notation
As in many non-Western cultures, music in early medieval Europe
did not have a system of notation. It was not until perhaps the
ninth century that a basic system of notation was developed.
Notating music was a difficult and time-consuming process. It
was only in the cathedrals and monasteries that such work could be
done on a regular basis.
Therefore, nearly all the music preserved (until the twelfth
century) was written for the church.
The advent of notation also produced a markedly stable body of
music, one of the features of Western musical culture.
The Birth of Polyphony
Descriptions of polyphonic singing date back to the ninth
century, but the practice actually began earlier in improvised
performances.
Polyphony is a distinctive feature of Western music. Its
development became the primary focus for composers from the
thirteenth century on.
Complex polyphony demanded specialized training for
composers.
The composition of plainchant was primarily an activity of
the monastery and convent, but by the fourteenth century,
composers were more often members of the university-trained
elite of the church.
This change explains, in part, the lack of female composers
of polyphony.
The Rise of Courtly Culture
The nobility of southern France created an elaborate society
centered on the court, a practice that spread throughout the
whole of Europe.
Music was an important activity of these courts, and the
aristocracy took part in the performance and composition of
secular works. Surviving examples are found in music of the
troubadours and trouvères, beginning in the twelfth century.
By the fourteenth century, the polyphonic style took hold in
secular music.
Secular polyphony was produced by highly trained specialists
in the art of music rather than by the aristocracy.
MUSICAL STYLE
Monophonic Style
A simple monophonic texture might be enriched by the use of
drones and (in secular music) percussion.
Rhythm was often not notated. We assume that it was tied to
text in vocal music and to dance in instrumental music.
Melodies are often long and flowing. Texted music is often
melismatic.
Form comes from text in vocal music. The structure of
instrumental music is based on repeating sections.
Polyphonic Style
Voices and instruments were often mixed.
Nonimitative counterpoint, with voices moving at different
rhythmic speeds, is the primary texture.
Rhythms are often restless and active.
Melodies are long and asymmetrical.
Harmony is based on open fifths and octaves.
Dissonances are often sharp and unexpected.
Pieces are often built on a cantus firmus, and the structure
is formed from repetitions of that melody.
