MUSI 1107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Gregorian Chant, Magnus Liber, Melisma
Document Summary
Fall of the roman empire and the renaissance. The monastery or abbey- center for knowledge-religious, scientific, medical, philosophical, and artistic. The church is the single most powerful employer for musicians as well as artists and craftsmen during this period (patronage) Tenth child of a noble family, given to the church by her parents as a title. Elected leader of a powerful community of nuns for many years. Had visions as a child, but kept them secret until late in life when she experienced divine command to share them. Wrote poetry filled with vivid symbolic imagery of creatures, gardens, flowers, jewels, etc. Liturgy: hymns, prayers, biblical texts, and texts for church services (masses)- includes different hymns/prayers for every day of the year. The project of setting the liturgy to music= gregorian chant. Credited to pope gregory (590-604), but really developed over many years by many churchmen. Syllabic: one note per syllable of text.
