The time definition of medieval music is very broad, and generally there is no precise conclusion. It should refer to the period from 800 to 1400 AD, which is between ancient music and the Renaissance. From the perspective of appreciation, the music of this period was mostly for religious purposes, which may be a bit boring for people who are generally interested in appreciating classical music. When discussing music theory in the Middle Ages, we can discuss it from several levels, including the mutual development between Catholicism and Gregorian chant, the simple notation method in the Middle Ages, and the development process of folk music.

Medieval music can be divided into religious music and secular music according to the type of music.

Religious music generally refers to Gregorian chant, which is a work of monophonic music. Later it also developed into polyphonic music, Organon, etc. This type of music is for Christianity. All performances are performed in church ceremonies and are held in accordance with the church's annual calendar. In medieval music ceremonies, the music was composed to accompany the recitation of poetry. Religious music developed along the way and became later masses and requiems. In the classical period, many great musicians produced such creative works, such as Haydn's Genesis and Mozart. Such works are here to stay.

The content of secular music in the Middle Ages was even more extensive. Most of the authors were from the declining aristocratic class. In fact, most of the content was related to religion, but it was not performed in churches. For example, the religious drama introduced below is an example of this, and then it developed more completely and became a divine drama. People who played and sang secular music also had special names. Later generations were called troubadours. Later, they continued to develop into a more diversified music trend.

Artistic Characteristics

In medieval Europe, the power of the church was higher than that of the state and other social groups.

At that time, all social ideologies, including various arts and philosophy, had to serve the church. Therefore, medieval music achieved unusual development with the help of Christianity.

It can be said that everything from music theory to notation, from chorus and ensemble to the rise and teaching of keyboard instruments, are all closely related to the medieval church. Although most of today's symphonies and operas are secular in content, they are also inextricably linked to the medieval church.

Church music initially adopted the form transmitted from the Jewish kingdom intact, that is, singing hymns and reciting the Bible. It was pure vocal music. Religious music has always been dominated by vocal music, because vocal music has lyrics. In contrast, instrumental music developed primarily as secular music during the Middle Ages.

The transition from primitive monophonic music to polyphonic music is an important feature of medieval music. In addition, medieval music also made great progress in theory, completing counterpoint and line notation. The invention and production of musical instruments also made considerable progress. Instruments such as trombones, trumpets, and French horns were widely popular at that time, and bowed string instruments (such as viols) were also widely used.

It is said that at the end of the sixth century AD, Pope Gregory I (reigned from 590 to 604 AD) collected and selected church songs, hymns, etc. used by various churches in order to unify church ceremonies. Gregorian Psalm.

The characteristics of Gregorian chant come from its function. The religious spirit requires rationality, asceticism, and moderation, so the chant also presents a simple style. The lyrics are in Latin, mostly from the Bible. The music must obey the lyrics, so the melody is monophonic music without accompaniment, without a fixed beat, and progresses smoothly (mainly progressions and thirds, with occasional jumps of four or five degrees). Improvisational and purely male.

(Listen)

There are four ways of singing Gregorian chant: solo (less), chorus, alternation (alternative chant) and responsorial chant (responsive chant). The singing content mainly consists of chanting prayers and liturgical singing, just like recitatives and arias in operas. The former is a half-singing, half-speaking recitation style, like a monk chanting sutras, while the latter has a slightly stronger sense of melody and highlights the solemnity. Gregorian chant melodies are divided into three types based on the combination of lyrics and singing: syllabic style - one word for one note; neumatic style - one word for one neumatic symbol ( polyphonic); melismatic style - one word pairs several tones, highlighting the "melismatic style".