MSC 1003 - Music in Civilization

Class Notes for Session 4

Homework Assignment #2: Mono-, Poly-, and Homophonic Textures

This is our first exercise that is based around a listening skill, as we try to recognize different textures in music. This concept is covered in the class two notes. We have a free practice exercise that is not graded and can be repeated as many times as you like. Then, once you feel ready you can try Exercise 2 for a grade. In the "regular" Tues-Thurs sections it is due before Class 5 for full credit.

Our first quiz date

Also, quiz one will on Tuesday, Sept 19.

Our official study guide is up, and complete class notes are collected together on our documents page.

Assignment #3: Quiz One Preview is now live, featuring real multiple-choice questions that may appear on the quiz. Due before Class 7 (the day of the quiz.)

Here are the complete playlists:

Medieval Unit: YouTube / Spotify
Renaissance Unit: YouTube / Spotify

Youtube Playlist for Phones (Medieval + Renaissance)

Reading Assignment

Please read pp. 68-76 in the eighth edition, or pp. 74-81 in the seventh on Renaissance sacred music.

One last Medieval piece

Guillaume de Machaut: Messe de Nostre Dame -- I. Kyrie

We begin this class by looking at one last piece by Machaut. This shows how he brought sacred polyphonic music to new heights.

Track Links: Spotify YouTube Naxos
Album Links: Amazon CD Amazon Mp3 Spotify Naxos

The Renaissance and Sacred Music

Josquin Ave Maria

This is the recording Craig Wright chose for our textbook, so you should be able to follow along with his timed notes on pp. 70-71 eighth edition, 77-78 seventh.

Track Links: Spotify Naxos YouTube
Album Links: MusicBrainz Spotify Google Play iTunes Naxos

In class we looked at this interesting animated version from youtube. It is particularly useful for seeing the imitation between voices.

Palestrina's Pope Marcellus Mass: II. Gloria

OK, here's where the book situation gets complicated. Craig Wright discusses the Pope Marcellus Mass in general in both editions, pp. 74-76 eighth edition and pp. 78-81 seventh. However, in the new edition he changed his mind as to which parts he would discuss in detail.

Our pick for the listening list, the second movement ("Gloria") is discussed in the seventh edition. See Wright's notes pp. 80-81. We are going to use a slightly different recording, so the timings in Wright's notes may not match.

Here is a scan of Wright's discussion in the 7th edition in case you want to see what he says or read the translation of the words.

Track Links: Naxos Spotify YouTube
Album Links: Naxos Spotify Amazon Mp3 Google Play