*CANCELED*

MUS 137(F) Cathedral, Court, and City Soundscapes: Introduction to Early Music

This course provides an introduction to the great variety of music in Europe before the Protestant Reformation. Important cities, courts and cathedrals of medieval and Renaissance Europe will serve as focal points for situating a broad range of early music in its cultural context. We will explore innovations in sacred music at cathedrals such as Rome, Paris, Reims, Florence, Bruges, and Salisbury, and trace the rise of secular music for the entertainment and empowerment of the French, Burgundian, English, Imperial, and Italian courts. We will also consider the roles of music and musicians in the civic life of urban centers including Florence, Paris, Bruges, and London. Genres of music to be addressed include plainchant, music for the Mass, ceremonial and devotional motets, vernacular song in French, English, German and Italian, instrumental dance music, and early keyboard music. Composers will range from the 12th century abbess Hildegard of Bingen through Leonin at Notre Dame of Paris c.1200, Machaut in 14th-century Reims, Dunstable in 15th century London, Du Fay in 15th century Florence, culminating with Obrecht in Bruges and Josquin in Italy c.1500.
Format: Lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation, several quizzes, two short papers, and a final exam. A field trip may be required.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 10).

Hour: BLOXAM