MUSI 1001 : Gregorian Chant Composers.docx

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Music
• Course: MUSI 1001
• Professor: John Higney

Document Summary

A polyphonic voice is added to soloist portions of chant. Is a composition containing two or more lines. Chant sung in long tones, the new line moves more quickly. Called his collection the magnus librum organi. Viderunt omnes" (cd 1. 3) first two words would have been sung by a soloist. Low line is the monks, the soloist moves more quickly, perfect example of organum. Composed organum for this passage, but left the choral sections as chant. Composed sacred music (monophonic) as well as secular songs (polyphonic) The best known composer in medieval music. Machaut composed the work in reims, 1360. Was performed in honor of the virgin mary. First known setting of the mass ordinary as one unified composition. All movements in 4 part polyphony. A descending scale motive unifies all the movements. Wrote vernacular poetry (love) and set lyrics to music. Music was never written down very little survives.