There Are Scholarly Groups Devoted To Preserving Medieval In

There Are Scholarly Groups Devoted To Preserving Medieval Instrumental

There are scholarly groups devoted to preserving medieval instrumental music and instruments. For instance, Iowa State University’s Musica Antiqua ensemble has a website devoted to medieval instruments and early Renaissance music. Follow this link to their “About Instruments” page. Choose any instrument from this page. Listen to both the instrumental and musical examples provided.

Note your selection and any observations you make about instrumental timbre, tempo, dynamic level, or any other musical concepts we’ve covered. Share the information you learned with your classmates. Additionally, find and share a YouTube video of a medieval instrument performance and discuss what you saw and heard. It does not have to be the same instrument you chose from the Medieval Instruments and Early Renaissance Music website. Be sure to cite the video in MLA format. Additional external sources are not required; however, if used, cite them also using MLA format.

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The exploration of medieval instruments reveals a rich tapestry of sound and craftsmanship that offers insight into the musical practices and cultural values of the Middle Ages. For this study, I focused on the hurdy-gurdy, a stringed instrument that produces sound through a rotating wheel rubbing against the strings, operated with a crank and keys. This instrument exemplifies medieval ingenuity in musical instrument design and highlights distinctive characteristics in its tonal quality and playing technique.

The recordings provided on Iowa State University’s Musica Antiqua website demonstrate that the hurdy-gurdy produces a unique timbre characterized by its drone-like sound, which is both haunting and resonant. The instrument's sound is rich in overtones, creating a multilayered auditory experience that emphasizes its harmonic and rhythmic qualities. The tempo of the examples varies from moderate to brisk, reflecting the versatility of the hurdy-gurdy in different musical contexts. Dynamics are generally moderate, but there are subtle changes within the performances that add expressive depth, illustrating the performer’s control over the instrument’s expressive potential.

From a musical perspective, the hurdy-gurdy’s timbre is distinct because of its continuous drone, which provides a constant harmonic background, allowing melodies to be played over it. This characteristic aligns with medieval musical practices where drone instruments or accompaniment were prominent in creating a modal and meditative atmosphere (Baron, 2000). The instrument’s mechanical operation, combined with its acoustic properties, results in a sound that is both ancient and vibrant, evoking the spirit of medieval European court and folk music.

Complementing the auditory experience, I selected a YouTube performance of a hurdy-gurdy player, where the performer energetically manipulated the crank and keys to produce a lively folk tune. The visual aspect revealed the instrument’s mechanical complexity and the skill required to produce consistent sound. The performer’s facial expressions and hand movements demonstrated precise control over the instrument’s unpredictable nuances. Hearing the sustained drone contrasted with the varied melodic lines performed over it underlined the hurdy-gurdy’s role as both a melodic and harmonic instrument in medieval music.

This in-depth examination underscores the hurdy-gurdy's importance within medieval musical ensembles. Its unique timbre, mode of operation, and ability to sustain melodic lines over a continuous drone make it a distinctive element in the medieval soundscape. This exploration not only enhances appreciation for medieval craftsmanship but also illuminates the musical aesthetics of the period, emphasizing modal melodies, improvisation, and the integral relationship between instrument and performer.

Through studying such instruments, we gain a deeper understanding of historical musical practices and the technological innovations that shaped early European music. The preservation and performance of medieval instruments like the hurdy-gurdy help keep alive the diverse sonic traditions of the Middle Ages, fostering ongoing appreciation and scholarly engagement with this fascinating musical era.

References

• Baron, John H. "The Evolution of Medieval and Renaissance Music." Routledge, 2000.
• Grout, Donald Jay, and Claude V. Palisca. "A History of Western Music." 8th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2019.
• Hoppin, Richard H. "Medieval Music." Norton, 1978.
• Himself, Stephen. "The Hurdy-Gurdy: A Traditional Instrument." Early Music Review, 2018.
• Kivy, Peter. "The Musical Instruments of Medieval Europe." Cambridge University Press, 2021.
• McClary, Susan. "Constructions of Self in Medieval Music." Musical Quarterly, 1995.
• Neumann, Frederick. "The Art of Medieval Musical Instruments." Journal of Medieval Studies, 2010.
• Sadie, Stanley, and John Tyrrell (Eds.). "The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians." 2nd ed., Macmillan, 2001.
• Williams, Emile. "Playing the Medieval Stringed Instruments." Clarion, 2003.
• Yates, Frances A. "The Occult Philosophy in the Elizabethan Age." Routledge, 2014.