History of Medieval Era of Music

Introduction:

that era of music preceding the Renaissance era of music, ie. 11thC to end of 14thC
Catholic sacred music dominated by Gregorian chant form (also called plainsong) sung by choirs which originated in 6thC by Pope Gregory

medieval psaltery:
- a plucked string instrument which was precursor of the harpsichord
mandola:
- a small ancestor of the European lute, possibly developed in 9thC
- became popular in England at end of 14thC
- ancestor of the mandolin
European lute:
- whilst the 'long lute' dates back to at least 2000BC & the 'short lute' from 800BC, it was transformed into the European lute with distinct neck & central soundhole, probably in Spain in 14thC

conductus:
- metrical Latin song, sacred or secular, usually for 2 or 3 voices, originating in France in 12thC
- superseded by motet in 13thC (see Renaissance)
lai, lay:
- 13th & 14thC French song form consisting of 12 unequal stanzas sung to different tunes
ars antiqua:
- medieval western European music style based on plainsong & organum, employed by composers (esp. Leonin, Perotin) of the Notre Dame or Parisian schools in 12th & 13thC.
ars nova:
- 14thC French & Italian new style of music with restrictions of ars antiqua replaced by greater variety of rhythm, duple instead of triple time, and increased independence in part-writing.
- developed into the madrigal in Renaissance times

Machaut, Guillaume de (c1300-1377):
- French composer, cleric, poet & diplomat
- outstanding practitioner of ars nova & among 1st to compose polyphonic setting of petry in fixed forms (ballade, rondeau & virelai)
- among the last to compose in the medieval forms of lai & dit
- music compositions:
  - Messe de Notre Dame
  - Voir Dit
  - 23 motets