Medieval Music Genres to Know for Music History – Medieval

Medieval music showcases a rich tapestry of genres, blending sacred and secular traditions. From the monophonic beauty of Gregorian chant to the intricate polyphony of the motet, these styles reflect the evolving cultural landscape of the Middle Ages.

1. Gregorian chant

   • Monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the Roman Catholic Church.
   • Characterized by free-flowing rhythm and modal melodies.
   • Named after Pope Gregory I, who is traditionally credited with its organization.
   • Used in liturgical settings, particularly during Mass and the Divine Office.
   • Represents the foundation of Western music notation and early music theory.

2. Organum

   • Early form of polyphony that developed from Gregorian chant.
   • Involves adding one or more melodic lines to a pre-existing chant.
   • Two main styles: parallel organum (melodies move in parallel intervals) and free organum (more independent melodic lines).
   • Significant in the evolution of Western music, leading to more complex polyphonic structures.
   • Associated with composers like Léonin and Pérotin in the Notre Dame school.

3. Troubadour and trouvère songs

   • Secular music composed by troubadours (southern France) and trouvères (northern France) in the 12th-13th centuries.
   • Often focused on themes of chivalry, courtly love, and social commentary.
   • Utilized a variety of poetic forms and musical structures, including strophic and refrain forms.
   • Accompanied by instruments, though many melodies were transmitted orally.
   • Important for the development of vernacular languages in music and literature.

4. Ars antiqua

   • Refers to the "old art" of music from the late 12th to the early 14th centuries.
   • Characterized by the development of early polyphony and the use of rhythmic modes.
   • Notable for the emergence of notation systems that allowed for more precise rhythmic representation.
   • Key figures include Léonin and Pérotin, who contributed to the Notre Dame school of polyphony.
   • Laid the groundwork for the more complex musical styles of the Ars nova.

5. Ars nova

   • Translates to "new art," referring to the musical style that emerged in the 14th century.
   • Marked by greater rhythmic complexity, including the use of duple and triple meter.
   • Introduced innovations in notation, allowing for more intricate compositions and greater expressiveness.
   • Prominent composers include Philippe de Vitry and Guillaume de Machaut.
   • Reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of the late Middle Ages.

6. Motet

   • A polyphonic vocal composition that emerged in the 13th century, often based on a sacred text.
   • Initially developed from the organum, incorporating multiple independent melodies.
   • Can be both liturgical and secular, with texts in Latin or vernacular languages.
   • Significant for its use of textural and harmonic complexity, paving the way for later choral music.
   • Composers like Machaut and later Josquin des Prez contributed to its evolution.

7. Conductus

   • A type of sacred vocal composition from the 12th to 14th centuries, often performed during liturgical ceremonies.
   • Typically features a single melodic line with a rhymed, metrical text.
   • Distinguished from Gregorian chant by its more structured rhythm and form.
   • Often composed for specific occasions, such as processions or celebrations.
   • Reflects the growing importance of secular themes in sacred music.

8. Liturgical drama

   • A form of musical theater that developed in the medieval church, combining music, dialogue, and action.
   • Originated from the tropes and sequences of the liturgy, often depicting biblical stories.
   • Performed during religious festivals and celebrations, engaging the congregation.
   • Helped to bridge the gap between sacred music and early forms of opera and musical theater.
   • Notable examples include the "Play of Daniel" and "The Quem Quaeritis."

9. Goliard songs

   • Secular songs composed by wandering scholars and clerics in the 12th and 13th centuries.
   • Often characterized by themes of love, drinking, and satire, reflecting a bohemian lifestyle.
   • Typically written in Latin, though some vernacular elements are present.
   • Associated with the Goliards, a group of itinerant students and clergy who challenged societal norms.
   • Important for their role in the development of secular music and poetry in the Middle Ages.

10. Lauda

    • A type of Italian devotional song that emerged in the late Middle Ages, often associated with the Franciscan movement.
    • Typically written in the vernacular, making it accessible to the laity.
    • Focused on themes of praise, devotion, and moral instruction.
    • Often performed in communal settings, fostering a sense of community and shared faith.
    • Played a significant role in the development of later Italian secular music and the Renaissance madrigal.