Early music influences

by Jo F

Early music influences

by Jo Foreman A.R.C.M. and Phil Baker M.A., M.Phil, Adv. Dip BKA, Dip. Ed, L.T.C.L

The term "early music" encompasses the medieval, renaissance and baroque eras. These can be roughly designated as: Medieval period from 500A.D.to 1450,Renaissance from 1450 to 1600 and Baroque from 1600 until 1750.The end of the baroque era is usually dated from the death of J.S.Bach, in 1750.

Of course there was music played and written even earlier than this. We tend to call this 'ancient music'.

There are certain recognizable differences in the style of these eras, that distinguish them from other eras.

Simplified, medieval and earlier music was mostly monophonic, in other words, one line of music. Think of Gregorian chant for example.

Then through the renaissance period more lines were added, and so music became polyphonic, creating new harmonies.

Musical influence over the centuries brings us music, instruments and musicians from many countries. New instruments, e.g. the shawm,and songs were brought back from the Crusades and minstrels would wander from country to country bringing different music , dance and song with them.

The growth of British music depends on influences from many sources, and it is a fact that there were actually very few memorable English composers throughout the ages (albeit with certain exceptions).

There was a great 'renaissance' of English music during the Tudor era. Henry VIII and his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I were both accomplished musicians, playing many instruments including virginal, lute and crumhorn.

Court and Church

The Court and Church both played prominant parts in the development of written music, and medieval musical activity in general.

The Church taught music formally to boys, as did the Chapels Royal (which were set up as bodies of priests and singers to serve the monarch).

These "choirboys' were trained to take part in services and masques (as illustrated in several surviving manuscripts).

The Middle Ages are the main focus of early music interests

Although music existed long before the Middle Ages, and although there is a large body of research into the music of the Ancient World, there is no reliable performance tradition associated with it.

We can imagine, but not actually know as a "musical experience', how the chants of Ancient Greece, Babylon, Sumeria and Rome actually sounded since their sounds do not "echo down the ages'.

Philosophy

Ancient music remains theoretical and musical theory was a subject which concerned early thinkers.

Plutarch ( A.D. 50-120) wrote "On Music'; Pliny the Younger (A.D. 62-113) left an account of Christian hymn singing; and Ptolemy and Pythagoras both wrote on the science and mysteries of harmonics.

Timeline

Early music, as discussed in this section, is taken to start at the end of the tenth century and run through to the early part of the 17th century.

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