University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Literature and Styles in Music I

1. Famous for Magnus Liber Organi, cycle of 2-part graduals, alleluias & responsories
   • Mostly in melismatic "organum duplum" (or "purum"): 2-parts with sustained tenor notes
     • effect of improvisation in top voice over changing drone
   • Solo portions of chant set polyphonically (alternating with unison chorus)
   • Continuity generally loose, but some regularity of phrases and some sequential repetitions occur
2. Employs some sections of Discant Clausulae
   • Sections in which tenor moves rhythmically and quickly rather than in a series of sustained notes
   • Each section of clausulae has its own cadence
3. Leonin juxtaposes old and new elements: older style of melismatic organum and new discant clausulae style

1. Continues to alternate polyphony with unison passages
2. Rhythms generally more precise and active than Leonin's
3. Many passages originally set as melismatic organum set by Perotin as sections of discant clausulae
   • Sections originally set by Leonin as discant clausulae are set with sections of faster moving substitute clausulae by Perotin
   • Perotin sets the tenor part in shorter, repeating rhythms
     • Uses more repetition in both melody and harmony
4. Perotin often composes in 3 voices, occasionally 4
   • Upper voices equal in range and cross frequently
   • Parallel 5ths and sharp clashes common
   • Consonances often only at phrase endings
   • Melodic lines more obviously organized by short melodic sequences and repeated motives
   Last Update 6/21/06
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