MIDDLE AGES MUSICMIDDLE AGES MUSICGREGORIAN CHANT OR GREGORIAN CHANT OR

PLAINSONGPLAINSONG

OriginOrigin

Based on Greek musical theory and Based on Greek musical theory and Jewish chantsJewish chants

Words come from Mass, Psalms, Words come from Mass, Psalms, Canticles, and hymnsCanticles, and hymns

Began about 300 ADBegan about 300 AD

Gregorian ChantGregorian Chant

Named after Pope Named after Pope Gregory who had Gregory who had the chants codified the chants codified and written down and written down 590-604 AD590-604 AD

Pope Gregory Pope Gregory supposedly heard supposedly heard the chantsthe chants

Pope Gregory dictating Chant In this illumination from the Antiphonary of Hartker of Sankt-Gallen, c. 1000 <http://z.about.com/d/historymedren/1/7/l/F/2/greg1dictating.jpg>

Structure of chantsStructure of chants

Four VariationsFour Variations Un-harmonized melody with free rhythmUn-harmonized melody with free rhythm No instruments are usedNo instruments are used Usually an initial spoken phrase is used Usually an initial spoken phrase is used

today, followed by intonation of the today, followed by intonation of the MonksMonks

Usually one long sound is followed by Usually one long sound is followed by two shorttwo short

RestorationRestoration

The chants were badly The chants were badly mutilated and mutilated and damaged through timedamaged through time

In the later nineteenth In the later nineteenth century the century the Benedictine Monks Benedictine Monks undertook in depth undertook in depth research to restore the research to restore the chantschants

In 1903 Pope Pius X In 1903 Pope Pius X accepted the adopting accepted the adopting it as the official music it as the official music of the Roman Catholic of the Roman Catholic ChurchChurch Graduale Aboense, hymn book of Turku, Finland. 14th-15th

century.Helsinki University Library, http://www.lib.helsinki.fi/yleistieto/historia.htm

MIDDLE AGES MIDDLE AGES ARCHITECTURE: GOTHICARCHITECTURE: GOTHIC

NOTRE DAME DE PARISNOTRE DAME DE PARIS

The major portion The major portion was started in 1163 was started in 1163 and consecrated and consecrated twenty years latertwenty years later

It was completed in It was completed in the 14th centurythe 14th century

It was built on top of It was built on top of former pagan altarsformer pagan altars

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-notre-dame-cathedral

South Portal and Transept.

CULT OF VIRGINCULT OF VIRGIN

Mary, a symbol of Mary, a symbol of forgiveness forgiveness became central in became central in religionreligion

Notre Dame was Notre Dame was dedicated to her; dedicated to her; several statues of several statues of her are throughouther are throughout

Tympanum of the Portal of the Virgin, depicting the Coronation of Mary.

FEATURES OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE (NOTRE FEATURES OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE (NOTRE DAME DAME

DE PARIS)DE PARIS)

A strong structure, emphasis on formalism and strict adherence to A strong structure, emphasis on formalism and strict adherence to planplan

Centered around religious beliefs—the stained glass windows all Centered around religious beliefs—the stained glass windows all picture the Bible storiespicture the Bible stories

Arches, which point up to God, the starry heavensArches, which point up to God, the starry heavens Ribbed vaulting which allow for an arched ceiling that pointed to Ribbed vaulting which allow for an arched ceiling that pointed to

heavenheaven Flying buttresses held the building up, leaving room on the wall for Flying buttresses held the building up, leaving room on the wall for

pictures, inlaid tombs, sanctuaries, and windowspictures, inlaid tombs, sanctuaries, and windows Rose and stained glass windows allowed the light of heaven to Rose and stained glass windows allowed the light of heaven to

enter and allowed people of the time to “read” the stories on the enter and allowed people of the time to “read” the stories on the painted glasspainted glass

Central nave, flanked by aisles, terminated by choir follow the Central nave, flanked by aisles, terminated by choir follow the Gothic planGothic plan

Large arched portals, decorated with statues to the saintsLarge arched portals, decorated with statues to the saints Twin towers on the outside, reaching upwardTwin towers on the outside, reaching upward Gargoyles, grotesque’s creatures, deck the arches to scare evil Gargoyles, grotesque’s creatures, deck the arches to scare evil

intruders awayintruders away

Middle Ages ArtMiddle Ages Art

QuestionQuestion: Look at the Middle Ages : Look at the Middle Ages part of the classroom wall. Describe part of the classroom wall. Describe the art depicted there in a the art depicted there in a paragraph.paragraph.

Characteristics:Characteristics:

Heavy and solid, art works were often created out Heavy and solid, art works were often created out of stoneof stone

Somewhat primitive and lacking in technical skillsSomewhat primitive and lacking in technical skills Detailed and formalDetailed and formal Religious in subject matterReligious in subject matter Colorful and jeweled if possibleColorful and jeweled if possible Not accurate in perspectiveNot accurate in perspective Often carried the messages of the timeOften carried the messages of the time (Stained glass windows and sculptures were to be (Stained glass windows and sculptures were to be

read—few books)read—few books)

Special arts:Special arts:

Stained glass, ivories, woodcarvings, Stained glass, ivories, woodcarvings, stone carvings, illuminated stone carvings, illuminated manuscripts, and paintings.manuscripts, and paintings.

The highest art was architecture and The highest art was architecture and applied engineering:applied engineering:

Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals (Westminster, Notre Dame, (Westminster, Notre Dame, Chartres.)Chartres.)

Transition:Transition:

Begin to show emotionsBegin to show emotions Begin to a handle on perspectiveBegin to a handle on perspective Show increased realismShow increased realism Conquer the building of massive Conquer the building of massive

structuresstructures