MUS 121 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Gregorian Chant, Mensural Notation, Organum

• School: University of Alabama
• Department: Music Academics
• Course: MUS 121
• Professor: Crofut

Document Summary

Passed down through oral traditions until the 7th or 8th century, when a notated system was created by the catholic church. The earliest sacred music was in the form of gregorian chant. Chant has qualities both speaking and singing, follows the inflection of sacred text. Monophonic texture only between the 5th - 9th century. Melodically used church modes, a system more ambiguous than our modern major/minor scales. The polyphonic sacred works between 1170 - 1310. Also known as the ars antiqua (old art) period. Introduced after centuries of the church gradually allowing polyphonic settings at religious feasts and other celebrations. Coordinating voices compelled the creation of mensural notation (measured rhythm). Sacred organum is credited to leonin and perotin of the notre dame school in paris. A religious service in the catholic church, commemorating and reenacting the last supper of jesus. Divided into two parts, the ordinary and the proper.