University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Literature and Styles in Music I
Nonliturgical and Secular Monody
I Early Secular Forms
A. Goliard Songs
- Songs of student/cleric vagabonds
B. Monophonic Conductus
- Orig. from Liturgical Dramas
- Name gradually applied to any non-Liturgical song on a serious subject
C. Chansons de Geste ("Song of Deeds")
- Epic narrative poems sung to simple melodic formulas (e.g., "Song of Roland")
II Performers of Secular Monody
A. Jongleurs (fl. 11th-12th cent.)
B. Troubadors (12th-13th cent.)
- Poet-composers of Provence (Southern France)
- Normally of noble birth (aristocratic)
- Bernart de Ventadorn (famous troubador)
C. Trouveres
- Equivalents from Northern France
- Songs preserved in Chansonniers
- Variety of forms common, incl. rondeau (ABaabAB)
- Texts mostly courtly love songs; also songs on political or moral subjects
- Pastourelle is favorite genre (prob. adapted from folk sources)
D. Adam del La Halle's Jeux de Robin et de Marion (1284)
- Musical play by most famous of Trouveres
E. Minnesingers (13th-4th cent.) and Meistersingers (15th-16th cent.): Knightly "Poet-Musicians" (Originally)
- Courtly love songs, but also those expressing religious sentiments, love of nature etc.
- Bar Form typical AAB (Stollen Stollen, Abgesang)
- Practice taken over by middle class craftsmen organized in guilds
- Hans Sachs: famous 16th century example (celebrated in Wagner's "Die Meistersinger")
Medieval Instrumental Music and Instruments
I Estampie: Major instrumental genre (13th-14th cent.)
II Major instruments:
A. Strings:
- Lyre (Roman origin)
- Harp
- Vielle (bowed)
- drone instrument (typical in Middle Ages)
- precursor to viol
- Organistrum (or hurdy-gurdy): employs drone strings
- Psaltery
- Lute
B. Wind Instruments:
- Flutes, recorders
- Shawms: double-reed (cf. oboe)
- Trumpets, Horns (natural)
C. Bagpipes
- Probable Middle Eastern Origin
- Melody against drone
Last Update 6/21/06
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