1. The Medieval Period
of Western Musical History
476 AD to
1400 AD

2. The word Medieval is derived from the Latin
word “medius” meaning “middle.”
The Medieval Period in Western history is also
known as the Middle Ages or also the Dark
Ages. It was a period in the history of Western
civilization when civilization broke down in
various ways and became quite primitive. The
cultural advances of the ancient Greece and
Rome were essentially lost with the Fall of the
Roman Empire in 476 A.D.
As a result, Western civilization had to begin
again during the Medieval period.

3. The word Medieval is derived from the Latin
word “medius” meaning “middle.”
The Medieval Period in Western history is
also known as the Middle Ages or also the
Dark Ages. It was a period in the history of
Western civilization when civilization broke
down in various ways and became quite
primitive. The cultural advances of the
ancient Greece and Rome were essentially
lost with the Fall of the Roman Empire
in 476 A.D.
As a result, Western civilization had to
begin again during the Medieval period.

4. Medieval Period of
Western History
 Lasted from about 476 A.D to 1400 A.D.
(different sources vary as to the exact dates)
 One of the 3 broad periods of Western
history: Classic / Medieval / Modern
 Founding of universities
 Building of cathedrals and castles

5. Heidelberg Castle in Germany
Built in 1214 A.D.

6. A Medieval painting depicting angels stabbing dragons,
a common symbolic image in Medieval art.

7. Medieval painting depicting the victory of
Byzantine Emperor Heraclius over the Persians in 627 A.D.

8. Music of the Medieval Period:
Monody – Monophonic Music
(meaning “one sound”)
 Single line melodies with no accompaniment
 Known as “chant” or “plainchant”
 Used as music for the early Christian church
 Gregorian chant – a more uniform system of
chant that was developed under the reign of
Pope Gregory I (590 AD to 604 AD)
 Sung by monks practicing the 'Divine Office'
eight times a day at the specific hours

9. Developments in Medieval Music:
Polyphony (meaning “many sounds”)
 Two or more independent lines of
music sung or played simultaneously
 Began as an additional parallel line to
a line of Gregorian chant
 Music notation began to be
developed around the same time
polyphony developed

10. Gregorian Chant
Illuminated Manuscript

11. The Medieval Motet
 Polyphonic vocal composition with several
different melodic lines (several voices singing)
Example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS0jAZFWrmA
 One line (cantus firmus) used phrase from
Gregorian chant
 Lines above cantus firmus were different and
sometimes in a another language
 Music often contained complex musical
techniques

12. Secular (Non-Sacred) Music in
the Medieval Period
 Lyrics (words) often written and preserved;
music seldom preserved
 Sung in vernacular (local) languages
 Troubadours – traveling composer-singers who sang songs
about chivalry and courtly love
Also:
 Dance music (mostly lost today)
Musical Example: 13th century Dance Music (3’02”):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-8weVCnvdM

13. Secular (Non-Sacred) Music in
the Medieval Period
Guillaume de Machaut
(c.1300-1377)
was a composer of the late Medieval
period and one of the few composers
from the Medieval period for whom
biographical information still exists.

14. “Dame mon couer en vous remaint”
Medieval French Song
by Guillaume de Machaut
Lady, my heart remains in you.
However far I may be from you.
With true love which dwells in me.
Lady, my heart remains in you.
Now I pray God your heart may love me. Without
leaving me for any other love. Lady, my heart
remains in you.
However far I may be from you
Listen to this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVWKHJKLHgQ (4’34”)

15. (End)