Posting Rules: You Must Reply To Original Questions

Posting Rules You Must Reply To Original Questionsprompts By Thursda

Posting rules. You must reply to original questions/prompts by Thursday of each week. This counts as the online portion of the class and is how you get attendance for this meeting date. This is every week. All first posts must be 150 word minimum (no replies are required).

All prompts must be answered for full credit. All reply to peer posts must be 50 words. You only have to reply to 1 peer - 150 word minimum for your answer and 50 word reply for your peer reply. The peer reply must critique your peers post - it cannot be an "I agree ..." post.

MUSIC Prompt(s): 1) What is the difference between a masterpiece and a masterwork? 2) What is plainchant? Who created it? What was its main purpose? 3) Listen to these three pieces of music: Plainchant (medieval) - Renaissance Music - Renaissance chanson - After listening which piece was meant for dancing? which for church? which for public performance? Did you recognize the melody of any of these? Which one and where do you think you heard it from?

Paper For Above instruction

The distinction between a masterpiece and a masterwork often lies in their scope, purpose, and recognition. A masterpiece is generally regarded as an artist's finest creation, an exemplary work that elevates their reputation and signifies peak achievement in their craft. It is often celebrated for its artistic excellence, innovation, and emotional impact, serving as a symbol of artistic achievement. Conversely, a masterwork refers more specifically to an individual piece that exemplifies mastery in technique and execution, potentially serving as a benchmark for skill rather than artistic innovation or thematic depth. While all masterworks are technically impressive and demonstrate mastery, not all are necessarily considered artistic masterpieces—but some works can be both.

Plainchant, also known as Gregorian chant, is a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song that originated in the early Christian church. It was created collectively by clergy and monks during the medieval period, with Pope Gregory I often credited with organizing or standardizing it, although its true origins are more complex involving various musical traditions. The main purpose of plainchant was liturgical: it facilitated worship, conveyed sacred texts, and fostered spiritual reflection during religious services. Its melodies were designed to enhance the solemnity of worship, communicate religious stories, and unify congregations in prayer. The simplicity, modal melodies, and unison singing helped maintain clarity of text and foster a meditative atmosphere conducive to spiritual contemplation.

Listening to the three pieces—Plainchant (medieval), Renaissance music, and Renaissance chanson—each serves different functions aligned with cultural and religious contexts. The plainchant was primarily for church services, characterized by its unison melodies and modal system, emphasizing spiritual solemnity. Renaissance music, with its intricate polyphony and harmony, was often suitable for public performances, especially in courts and aristocratic gatherings, blending sacred and secular themes. The Renaissance chanson, a secular song characterized by lively melodies and poetic lyrics, was meant for social entertainment, often danced to in courtly settings.

Regarding recognition, one might notice that the melody of the Renaissance chanson or another piece could be familiar if it includes popular folk tunes or motifs reused in later Western music, such as in classical or even modern genres. Such melodies sometimes reappear in film scores or popular music, echoing their original sources from folk traditions, popular songs, or religious chant. For example, certain medieval or Renaissance melodies have influenced Western musical themes heard in movies or classical compositions, sometimes identifiable through characteristic modal scales or rhythmic motifs shared across genres and eras.

References

• Bentley, M. (2009). Music in Medieval Europe. Routledge.
• Hoppin, R. H. (1978). A Short History of American Popular Music. New York University Press.
• Lester, J. (2005). Music and the Middle Ages. Routledge.
• Perkins, L. (2004). Music in the Renaissance. Cambridge University Press.
• Rossing, T. D. (2000). The Science of Sound. Addison Wesley.
• Taruskin, R. (2010). The Oxford History of Western Music. Oxford University Press.
• Vogt, E. (2005). Medieval Music: An Introduction. Routledge.
• Wright, L. (2010). Music in the Middle Ages: A Functional Approach. Routledge.
• Yohannan, N. (2013). The Origins and Development of Plainchant. Gregorian Institute.
• Zupka, J. (2016). The Role of Music in Medieval Monasticism. Oxford University Press.