The development of composed music over the middle ages followed a chronological order from the development of the Gregorian chant associated music compositions and into the Renaissance age.
As early as the thirteenth century, a music style known as the estampie, a kind of medieval dance was in existence. This early form of music composition consisted of a single melodic line with no instrument specified. However, in particular recordings, the use of a pipe and another bow string instrument was used to develop a rhythmic melody for the same. The estampie was a strong and very fast beat that was improvised with different accompaniments over the course of time.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The organum was developed between 700-900. The initial steps to develop music from its original monophonic single tunes in what could be termed as the revolution that changed western music. The ancient Gregorian chant was further developed by adding of a single melodic line. This was mainly done by monks in monastery choirs. The line which was added was improvised and not written down. The monks just changed the pitch while repeating the same line. This addition of an extra line on the Gregorian chant but with a different melodic pitch was called the organum .
Between the year 900 and 1200, the organum became fully polyphonic and the independence of the additional melody was more expressed. The development of a parallel melody of its own that was away from that of the main chant became a characteristic of the additional line. It therefore, developed an independent melodic curve.
In the years between 1170- 1200, the development of rhythmic innovations by resident composers at the Cathedral of Notre Dame saw the initial development of polyphonic music but still through the ancient Gregorian chant. Some of the most notable composers such as Perotin and Leonin used measured rhythm in their numerous compositions. This form of composition included a defined meter and definite time values.
The fourteenth century is however, the hallmark period of the development of polyphonic music from the ancient Gregorian chant into the Renaissance period. One notable name in music composition history is Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377). He was born in France and became a famous poet and composer. He wrote several love songs that are regarded the best works of the fourteenth century. In around 1363, he composed Pius qu’en oubli sui de vous , which translates to Since I am forgotten by you. This was a love song penned down by the composer to a noble young woman who he could not end up with due to a very big age difference. This work of composition was in a collection he wrote between 1363-1365 called Le Livre Dou Voit Dit . This work of art was classified as a rondeau , a poetic form of music in fourteenth century France. Machaut also developed other famous compositions such as the Agnus Dei which was a prayer song for peace and mercy. It is based mainly on Gregorian chant but improvised with new rhythmic patterns by the composer.
The development of music in the Renaissance period just like any other forms of art during that particular period was robust. This development happened between 1450-1600. The prioritization of words or else vocals over instruments in music is the most notable character of renaissance music. Most composers during this time used word painting where there was specific depiction of words through music. Music texture of renaissance music was highly polyphonic with several vocal parts and differences in melodic patterns. One main characteristic of renaissance music is that it sounds fuller than medieval music. It is therefore recognized as the ‘golden age’ of music composition and a cappella choral music. The rhythm and melody were further developed in this era with the melody characterizing a gentler flow.
The development of sacred music during the renaissance was mainly in two categories, the mass and the motet . The motet was a polyphonic choral work that was set in line with Latin text while the mass was a composition made up of five parts. It was also polyphonic. The most notably recognizable composer of this type of music is Josquin Desperez (1440-1521) who composed the famous four-voice mote t the Ave Maria…. Virgo serena. This was a dedication piece of prayer to the virgin Mary. His compositions were of great influence to other composers over the years.
