Hildegard Of Bingen Alleluia O Virga Mediatrix

Listening Journal - Understanding Music Hildegard of Bingen: Alleluia, O virga mediatrix This song is a chant from the middle ages. It is in the Latin language and is monophonic by nature. The medium is that of voice only. The lyrics are melismatic. The timbre is somber. This is a religious chant that was most likely performed by monks originally in church. Most people could not understand the lyrics that were being chanted since it was not the language they spoke. The church did not believe in dancing so there was no beat to the music to help prevent people from swaying to a beat. Notre Dame School Organum: Gaude Maria virgo Like the title says, this song is an organum. There is an underlying chant with a melody over
These two theorists were ‘the first international composers of polyphonic music.’ These innovations are grounded in the forms of Gregorian Chant, and adhere to the theoretical rhythmic systems of St. Augustine.” Much of the background on where chant was performed applies as well to organum. Raimbaut de Vasqueiras: Kalenda maya This song is an example of a troubadour dance. The music has both voices and instrumental. There is a definite beat you can move to. Timbre of the song is festive. Song itself is somewhat repetitive. The troubadour dance was the “party music” of the Middle Ages. It was enjoyed in both rural farms as well as in the courts of royalty. Unlike the chants and organums that were religious in nature, the dance was celebratory music and featured rudimentary instruments to help create a beat that people can dance to. Josquin: Ave Maria … virgo serena This song is a motet from the Renaissance. A motet is a chant with extra melodies. There are many lines and many voices performing simultaneously. The music is vocal only with no instrumentation. Much of the song is in “the
Religion itself gets shaken up significantly with the Protestant Reformation spurred on by a monk named Martin Luthor. This results in the creation of the Lutheran church. Lutherans still use music in their service, like the Catholics, but in the vernacular of the citizens so they can join in and understand the message. Palestrina: Pope Marcellus Mass, Gloria A mass is a ‘text’ that is set into song and performed daily in church services. The structure is that where it starts off in chant format then multiple people sing monophonically. The dynamics of this performance is varied. It goes from very soft to loud. The mass is part of the counter-reformation of the Catholic Church. The church sticks to its ideals of continuing to be in Latin. The mass is a perfect example of the ritualism of the church, using the same prayers day in and day out. Religious service becomes more of a ritual to the patrons then that of seeking enlightenment. Farmer: Fair Phyllis This song is a madrigal. Madrigals are love songs with four-part harmony. As opposed to motets and masses, madrigals are secular in nature. This song was performed in English. There is heterophony and simultaneous ornamentation. Voices only are