How was organum created? Sometime during the ninth century, music theorists in the Church began experimenting with the idea of singing two melodic lines simultaneously at parallel intervals, usually at the fourth, fifth, or octave. The resulting hollow-sounding music was called organum and very slowly developed over the next hundred years.
How was early organum made?
Early organum of this sort (9th–11th century) was, it seems, spontaneously produced by specially trained singers before being committed to manuscript. In more elaborate forms of organum, a freely composed melody was sung note against note above the plainchant.
What is organum in music?
Organum. In more elaborate forms of organum, a freely composed melody was sung note against note above the plainchant. Finally, at the abbeys of Santiago de Compostela, Spain ( c. 1137), and Saint-Martial of Limoges, Fr. ( c. 1150), an important new principle emerged—that of composing a highly florid melody...
What are the two forms of organum technique?
In Léonin's organa de gradali et antiphonario two forms of organum technique are evident, organum purum and "discantus". "Benedicamus Domino" is a perfect example of the principles used.
What is the origin of the “melismatic organum”?
This new “melismatic” organum (having several pitches to a syllable) reached maturity in compositions associated with the Notre-Dame school in Paris and collected in the Magnus liber organi ( c. 1170; “Great Book of Organum”), probably by Léonin, or Leoninus, the first major composer known by name, who set chant melodies for the Graduals,...
How did organum develop from Gregorian chant?
Organum was a significant development, as it added a second line of melody to the single notes of the Gregorian chant. In this way, harmony could be created, making a richer more complex sound. The second line of melody might be notated at an interval lower or higher, or might be improvised by the singer.
What is organum and its importance?
Organum is a musical style based on plainchant. While one voice sings the primary chant melody, at least one other voice sings along to enhance the harmony. This style is important to musicians, particularly music theorists, because it served as the basis for the development of true counterpoint.
Where did the term organum come from?
Etymology. Borrowed from Latin organum, itself a borrowing from Ancient Greek ὄργανον (órganon, “organ, instrument, tool”). Doublet of organ, organon, and orgue.
What is an organum and how is it performed?
900; “Musical Handbook”), organum consisted of two melodic lines moving simultaneously note against note. Sometimes a second, or organal, voice doubled the chant, or principal voice, a fourth or a fifth below (as G or F below c, etc.). In other instances, the two voices started in unison, then moved to wider intervals.
Where was organum invented?
Beginning with Gregorian Chant, church music slowly developed into a polyphonic music called organum performed at Notre Dame in Paris by the twelfth century.
What organum means?
Definition of organum 1 : early polyphony of the late Middle Ages that consists of one or more voice parts accompanying the cantus firmus often in parallel motion at a fourth, fifth, or octave above or below also : a composition in this style. 2 : organon.
What was innovative about organum?
What was innovative about organum? It introduced polyphony. It combined the lute and the human voice.
What are the 3 types of organum?
I. Early Organum (CHWM 53–56, NAWM 14–16)Parallel organum. ... Contrary and oblique motion. ... Free and florid organum. ... Organum purum and discant. ... Notation of organum.
What is the difference between polyphony and organum?
2:5411:25The Birth of Polyphony - Different Types of Organum ExplainedYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the other voice alternates between singing a drone. And moving a parallel motion. This is calledMoreAnd the other voice alternates between singing a drone. And moving a parallel motion. This is called mixed or oblique. Organum is another style is called free organome where one voice sings the chant.
What is organum and what are the types of organum?
Organum is a genre of Medieval polyphonic music (music with two or more simultaneous, different voice parts) that reached the peak of its sophistication during the late 1100s-early 1200s in France. In organum, new music would be composed and sometimes improvised on top of the “fixed” music of older Gregorian chant.
How do you write organum?
0:231:22Organum and Gregorian Chant Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe will use C Ionian mode for this piece. No time signature is needed in this style. Next pick yourMoreWe will use C Ionian mode for this piece. No time signature is needed in this style. Next pick your starting note usually the first note of the scale of the mode that you chose. In our case this is C.
What is the difference between organum and Gregorian chant?
A Gregorian chant to which additional lines were added is called organum. The original Gregorian chant on which the upper lines are based is called the cantus firmus. Between the lines they are intervals of fourths and fifths that move in contrary motion.
What is organum and what are the types of organum?
Organum is a genre of Medieval polyphonic music (music with two or more simultaneous, different voice parts) that reached the peak of its sophistication during the late 1100s-early 1200s in France. In organum, new music would be composed and sometimes improvised on top of the “fixed” music of older Gregorian chant.
What are the 3 types of organum?
I. Early Organum (CHWM 53–56, NAWM 14–16)Parallel organum. ... Contrary and oblique motion. ... Free and florid organum. ... Organum purum and discant. ... Notation of organum.
How many types of organum are there?
Organum purum is one of three styles of organum, which is used in section where the chant is syllabic thus where the tenor can not be modal. As soon as the chant uses ligatures, the tenor becomes modal and it will have become discant, which is the second form. The third form is copula (Lat.
What was the single most important feature in the development of Western music?
Around the year 1000, composers in Europe began to experiment with polyphony (music based on several simultaneous sounds). This bold step is perhaps the single most important occurrence in the history of Western music. Around the year 1200, a simple type of polyphony called organum developed in France.
Who were the two founders of organum?
The history of organum would not be complete without two of its greatest innovators, Léonin and Pérotin. These two men were "the first international composers of polyphonic music". The innovations of Léonin and Pérotin mark the development of the rhythmic modes.
What is the organum purum?
Organum purum is one of three styles of organum, which is used in section where the chant is syllabic thus where the tenor can not be modal. As soon as the chant uses ligatures, the tenor becomes modal and it will have become discant, which is the second form.
What is the duplum line?
Starting from a consonant, mostly the octave, sometimes lead in by 7–8 over 1, the duplum line explores the harmonious interplay with the tenor, building up to a change of harmony at the end of a melisma where another syllable is produced at a different pitch.
What was the center of musical composition in the 12th and 13th centuries?
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the University of Paris served as the center of musical composition and as a transmitter of musical theory in the 12th and 13th centuries. The presence of Léonin and Pérotin at the Notre-Dame School made Paris the centre of the musical world in the 12th century.
What is the vox organalis in a parallel chant?
For parallel singing, the original chant would be the upper voice, vox principalis; the vox organalis was at a parallel perfect interval below, usually a fourth. Thus the melody would be heard as the principal voice, the vox organalis as an accompaniment or harmonic reinforcement.
What is the key concept behind the creative outburst that manifested in the 11th and 12th centuries?
As key-concept behind the creative outburst that manifested in the 11th and 12th centuries is the vertical and harmonic expansion of dimension, as the strongly resonant harmony of organum magnified the splendour of the celebration and heightened its solemnity.
Who wrote the organa dupla?
Magister Cantus of the Notre Dame, Léonin compiled the 'Magnus Liber Organi de Gradali et Antiphonario'. Léonin wrote organa dupla based on existing chants like the Alleluia and the Gradual of the Mass and Responsory and Benedicamus Domino of Vespers for the major liturgical ceremonies in the yearly cycle.
Where was the Florid organum developed?
During the course of the twelfth century, the age of the Cathedrals, melismatic (or "florid") organum developed in Aquitania, and is linked to Saint Martial de Limoges.
How many notes are in a florid organum?
The basic principle of florid organum is that there are anywhere from two to six notes in the organal voice sung over a single sustained note in the tenor. Saint Martial organum and Paris organum duplum follow from the same principle, but in a different form.
What is the name of the musical genre that originated in the twelfth century?
Florid Organum, Melismatic Organum. Organum as a musical genre reached its peak in the twelfth century with the development of florid organum and two very different schools composition. The first was what is called "Aquitainian polyphony," for it originated with the Saint Martial school, centred around the Abbey of Saint Martial in Limoges.
How many consonant intervals are there in the organ?
There are at least six consonant intervals that can be used in Organum. The upper organal voice moves in extensive melisms on long protracted vowels.
Is the Saint Martial Organum rhapsodic?
The Saint Martial organum is rhapsodic in character as rhythms are not yet organized according to the six rhythmic modes, for the introduction of which Leonin seems to deserve to be credited.
Who were the two founders of organum?from en.wikipedia.org
The history of organum would not be complete without two of its greatest innovators, Léonin and Pérotin. These two men were "the first international composers of polyphonic music". The innovations of Léonin and Pérotin mark the development of the rhythmic modes.
What is the organum of music?from britannica.com
In its earliest written form, found in the treatiseMusica enchiriadis(c.900; “Musical Handbook”), organum consisted of two melodic lines moving simultaneously noteagainst note. Sometimes a second, or organal, voice doubled the chant, or principal voice, a fourth or a fifth below (as G or F below c, etc.). In other instances, the two voices started in unison, then moved to wider intervals. Both melodies might in turn be doubled at the octave. Early organum of this sort (9th–11th century) was, it seems, spontaneously produced by specially trained singers before being committed to manuscript.
What is the most important development in Western music history?from courses.lumenlearning.com
This article summarizes one of the most significant developments in Western music history: the rise of polyphonic texture in the composition of sacred music. The earliest forms of polyphony in Europe were called organum. Organum reached its height at the hands of the composers at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. Leoninus and his successor Perotinus perfected a style of florid or melismatic organum that must have been astonishing to the people of their day. You’ll often see the French version of those composers’ names: Leonin and Perotin.
What is the duplum line?from en.wikipedia.org
Starting from a consonant, mostly the octave, sometimes lead in by 7–8 over 1, the duplum line explores the harmonious interplay with the tenor, building up to a change of harmony at the end of a melisma where another syllable is produced at a different pitch.
What was the center of musical composition in the 12th and 13th centuries?from en.wikipedia.org
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the University of Paris served as the center of musical composition and as a transmitter of musical theory in the 12th and 13th centuries. The presence of Léonin and Pérotin at the Notre-Dame School made Paris the centre of the musical world in the 12th century.
What is the vox organalis in a parallel chant?from en.wikipedia.org
For parallel singing, the original chant would be the upper voice, vox principalis; the vox organalis was at a parallel perfect interval below, usually a fourth. Thus the melody would be heard as the principal voice, the vox organalis as an accompaniment or harmonic reinforcement.
What is an organ?from britannica.com
Organum, plural Organa, originally, any musical instrument (later in particular an organ); the term attained its lasting sense, however, during the Middle Ages in reference to a polyphonic (many-voiced) setting, in certain specific styles, of Gregorian chant.
Who is the most famous composer of organum?
Two famous composers of organum, who signed their names to their compositions, are Leonin (c.1150-1201) and Perotin (c. 1183-1238). Both worked as choirmasters at the Church of Notre Dame. These composers developed organum into the earliest forms of polyphonicmusic. Not only did their organum contain simultaneous melodies that moved in different directions, the rhythms are precisely notated so that all of melody lines stay in perfect sync with each other. For the first time, a definite (but weak) pulse can be felt in the singing. In this famous organum "Benedicamus Domino" by Perotin , the upper melody line sings melismatically Be -- ne -- eh -- dee -- cah -- mus, while the lower voice part is held as a long drone.
How long is Benedicamus Domino?
Benedicamus Domino is repeated but this time each vowel is sung to a very long melismatic setting, up to 15 seconds per vowel! A long-short-long rhythm pattern is carried throughout the melismatic singing. Imagine standing inside a cathedral, hearing these tones reverberate in the vaulted space, with beams of light filtered through the stained glass.
