14 th Century Music

1. 14th Century Music The “New Art” in Italy and France

2. Ars Nova • The 14th century was a time of disintergration! • It witnessed the Hundred Years’ War • The plague known as the “Black Death” • And the weakening of the Feudal System as well as the Catholic Church • The literary and artistic works of the time stressed sensuality over virtue • It is not surprising that secular music began to gain dominance • It afforded creative composers more liberty • They began to write secular polyphonic music NOT based on Gregorian chant

3. Ars Nova • Thanks to developments begun by the School of Notre Dame a century earlier, a new notation system was created • This system allowed a composer to specify rhythms as well notes • Beats could now be divided into 2’s and 3’s • These changes and others in the period are so dramatic that music theorists referred to this period in France and Italy as the Ars Nova or (New Art)

4. Francesco Landini (? – 1397) • One of the most celebrated Italian composers of the 14th century • He was blind from childhoodyet; • He became a famous organist, poet, scholar, and inventor. • The secular emphasis of the period is evident in his body of work • Consisting of only Italian songs for 2-3 voices • Dealing with subject matter ranging from nature and love to morality and politics

5. Ecco la Primavera (Spring has Come) • A carefree song for 2 voices about the joys of springtime . • Its rhythmic vitality comes from Syncopation • A new rhythmic possibility that is created by putting stress on the weak parts of the beat. • Ecco la Primavera is a Ballata, an Italian poetic and musical form that originated as a dance-song • CD Track 69

6. Ochi Dolenti Mie (My Grieving Eyes) • The melancholy text is mirrored in the sounds of the music • The subject is “unrequited love” or love that is desired from afar but never attained • This becomes a very popular subject in secular music! • Even to this day • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj0X7DsXnnQ

7. Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377) • A famous musician/poet born in the Champagne region of France • Technically he was a priest, however he spent most of his life as a court official working for various royal families • In 1323, he became a secretary to John, King of Bohemia. • He travelled all across Europe with King John and was exposed to art and music from many European regions

8. The decline in the Church’s power is evident in his work as well • While he did write some sacred music, the majority of his output is in the form of love songs

9. Notre Dame Mass • One of the finest works of the Middle Ages • Also of great historical importance • It was the first polyphonic treatment of the entire Mass Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo,Sanctus/Benedictus, Agnus Dei) by a single composer • The Mass Ordinary consists of 5 texts that remain the same for every church service of the year.

10. Structure of the Mass

11. Notre Dame Mass • The mass is written for 4 independent voices • The rhythms and harmonies are complex and much more advanced that what we’ve heard before • The two upper voices are more intricate and active while the lower two consist of longer tones and play a more supportive role

12. The work is based on the “Cantus Firmus” principle but the original chant melody is so disguised within the texture and rhythm that it is virtually unnoticeable • There is a use of dissonant sounds that has never before been utilized in sacred music. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHRAYbgdxew

13. Puis qu'en oubli • A polyphonic chanson (French secular song) • Written in a very dark and low register for 3 male voices • Alternates between divisions of 2’s and 3’s • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yi2MMtIimY

14. "Je vivroie liement/Liement me deport" • A French “virelai” (another dance-song) • For solo voice with a lively accomaniment • Machaut would have written out much of his accompaniments unlike previous composers • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ti59NdbG1c