MUS 15 Study Guide - Final Guide: Word Painting, Atonality
TIME PERIODS
Middle Ages:
● Fall of Rome and ascendancy of Christian church
● Rise of cities and industry
● Music sponsored by church and courts
● Music went from sacred, Latin, monophonic, nonmetric to secular, other languages,
monophonic/polyphonic, and more clear rhythms
● The medium was always acappella male voices
Renaissance:
● Fall of Byzantine Empire
● People were more interested in humanism and visual arts
● Music printing increased the distribution of music
● Some instrumental music was introduced, but vocal music still dominated
● Text importance increased as word painting was introduced
● Text setting became more syllabic and imitative polyphony was more popular
Baroque:
● Monarchies and wealthier middle class dominated
● Music was popular in churches, courts, homes, and theaters
● Instrumental music became just as important as vocals
● Stronger beats and clearer meters
● Requires the ability to perform well
● Major/ minor tonality
Classical:
● Before the Revolutions, there was a patronage system for music- servants were
musicians
● Music grew into the public sphere and there was more public participation
● Simplistic homophonic texture, simple harmonies, few chords
● Rhythmic variety and emphasis on form and structure
Document Summary
Fall of rome and ascendancy of christian church. Music went from sacred, latin, monophonic, nonmetric to secular, other languages, monophonic/polyphonic, and more clear rhythms. The medium was always acappella male voices. People were more interested in humanism and visual arts. Music printing increased the distribution of music. Some instrumental music was introduced, but vocal music still dominated. Text importance increased as word painting was introduced. Text setting became more syllabic and imitative polyphony was more popular. Music was popular in churches, courts, homes, and theaters. Instrumental music became just as important as vocals. Before the revolutions, there was a patronage system for music- servants were musicians. Music grew into the public sphere and there was more public participation. Simplistic homophonic texture, simple harmonies, few chords. Rhythmic variety and emphasis on form and structure. Performances were in public concerts or salons, some smaller gatherings in private homes. The piano was the most important instrument- status symbol.
