[Understand Music] 3. The middle

600-800 Dark!

1. only the church stood against barbarity e.g. library, education etc

2. church music: 2 goals

        style: unadorned, monophonic --> "plainchant", which is quite different from the Greek style! Greek style is humanistic.

        why this style? a. monophonic b. smooth c. no regular beats, which means no dancing and no sexuality 

3. music at this time was transmitted orally

High middle ages

1. high middle ages: reborn!! cities, technologies, agricultural development, education, architecture (roman arches, gothic style cathedrals)

2. music around 900: polyphony

        it's more complicated than before, so music notation was invented

        composers began to sign the music --- ego

3. around 1000: organum (several parts)

        2 vocal parts: a. plainchant b. decorative voice called duplum

        may be accompanied by an organ 

1300s

1. a. 3 popes   b. black death   c. more and more secular rulers competing with the ruling of the church ---> crisis of faith

2. 14 century music: Ars Nova (new art) !!!!!

        the composition technique of ars nova: isorhythm, which is extremely complicated, mirrors the complexity of the notre dame cathedral

----> diverges from the old church music, toward more humanistic art