Polyphony

The Baroque period is commonly referred to as the period containing the oldest examples of music still played today. The most popular choral work to arise from this period was written by Hanel- one of the most prominent composers at the time. Regarded as the greatest classical work ever, Handel’s Messiah is one of the most performed pieces- both in part and in whole- by professionals and amateurs alike. Its popularity nearly 300 years after its creation demonstrates its music power. Despite the…

governing and leading powers of society. Roman de Fauvel is still viewed by historians as entertaining, puzzling, and magnificent. The music for the manuscript was chosen very carefully and is noted to be the “single most important collection” of polyphony in the fourteenth century. This story is still read and found interesting, which is a testament for literature throughout the…

What can I say besides what an amazing experience? As I basically stumbled into the Verizon hall trying to seem as prim and proper as possible I began to feel the intensity of what I was going to experience. As the performers tuned their instruments, and were prepping to begin their performance I felt a multitude of different emotions and trained to maintain my composure because I actually became somewhat excited in anticipation. I never really realize how massive the areas I am are until I…

Music has been invariably elucidated throughout history altering the definition of what is considered melodic, and revolutionizing the manner in which pieces are composed and one of the most prominent periods of musical transformations was the 17th century. It was during these influential times in which music was subjected to the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, both signifying turbulent times for the church and both fundamental in the salvation of polyphonic musical composition as…

The years (1450-1600) marked beginning the Renaissance. In the Renaissance, many instruments were added to the musicians toolbelt of expression; Instruments such as: the rebec, shawm, sackbut, and the cornetto. Also, Imitative Polyphony made an appearance in contrast to the middle ages’ non-imitative polyphonic music. Artists such as Susato, Palestrina, Arcadelt, Farmer, and Josquin des Prez made their debuts in the renaissance and Susato brought to the world Three Dances, a ronde…

These works are about the culture of Aurelio’s homeland of Honduras. Garifuna is used to describe the descendants of Carib, Arawak Indians and West African people. The term Garifuna is also used to describe the language and style of music. The piece I chose to write about is called “Landini” which is off of his last album Landini. His previous albums were motivated by different South American and African cultures. “Landini” is solely Garifuna inspired. The English definition of Landini…

a song or measure and polyrhythm patterns in music. Composer Arnold Schoenburg’s Pierrot lunaire consists of very fast sounds, with harsh dissonant harmonies. Another Modern era composition is Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring which has a complex polyphony form and Russian folk-song melodies. This is the last period of Western music…

that point, it then drops out completely, as it is answered in succession by other voices. This process consists of a repetition of a melody; immediately at another part or point, which causes an overlap. It is important not to confuse this with polyphony; which is the use of a musical composition that uses the representation of several simultaneous, largely independent, melodic parts, lines, or…

piece. The Rise of the Motet The motet was originally thought to have risen in the thirteenth century upon being influenced and even deriving the fundamental foundations of Notre-Dame polyphony. What was a substantial point in the formation of the motet was the sudden…

also serve as a way for people to become more connected with other individuals and with themselves. Arabs and Jews, two groups with a historic conflict, were able to come together and learn from each other from musical involvement. In Israel, the Polyphony Foundation began as a small school in Nazareth in 2007 intending to spread musical education in their community; this foundation currently focuses on creating positivity between Arab and Jewish people through shared experiences. "When the…