monophony
The simplest texture; unaccompanied melody. Ex. Gregorian Chant
plainchant
Gregorian Chant; monophonic. Official music f the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages (p. 59)
modes
Determined by the different tonic pitches. (p. 33)
(Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian).
reciting tone
In Gregorian recitation, the pitch at which the text is sung. (p. 61)
antiphon
One of the simplest genres of plainchant (p. 62)
sequence
Plainchant genre more elaborate than the antiphon. A series of short tunes sung twice with some variation and an extra unit at the end. (A A’ B B’….N)
Qur’anic recitation
Distinguished from all types of secular music making. Thought of as reading the sacred text aloud. (p. 73)
azan
The best know type of Islamic chant is the singing of the azan. Employs a style related to recitation. Call to worship. (p. 74)
mele pule
Hawai’ian prayer songs. Sought to bring to life images of their gods. (p. 74)
polyphony
Two or more melodies played or sung simultaneously. (p. 29)
organum
Earliest type of polyphony. Traditional plainchant melody plus another melody in counterpoint. (p. 67)
Ars nova
“new art”. Motet became more intricate mainly in the area of rhythm. (p.70)
motet
Upper lines of organum now given their own text. (p. 70)
isorhythm
Technique of writing successive lengthy passages in identical rhythms but with distinct melodies. (p. 72)
isorhytmnic motets
Motets that employ the technique of isorhythms. (p. 72)
hocket
Fast echoes between the soprano and alto. (p. 72)
homophony
Only one melody of real interest and it is combined with other sounds. (p. 29)
hymn
Most tuneful plainchant genre. Short tune is sung through many stanzas followed by an Amen. (p. 78)
oratorio
An opera on a religious subject. (p. 160)
recitative
The technique of declaiming words musically in a heightened, theatrical manner. (p.101)
aria
An extended piece for solo singer that has much more musical elaboration and coherence than a passage of recitative. (p. 102)
church cantata
A piece of moderate length for voices and instruments. Words addressed the religious content of the day in question. (p. 164)