What is the musical texture of organum?

What is the musical texture of organum?

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.

What is the musical period of organum?

Organum (/ˈɔːrɡənəm/) is, in general, a plainchant melody with at least one added voice to enhance the harmony, developed in the Middle Ages.

How is chant used in organum?

In Organum, a preexistent chant is embellished by the addition of other voices singing different music. When music is made up of people singing or playing different lines at the same time, it is said to be polyphonic.

What is Discant style?

descant, also spelled discant, (from Latin discantus, “song apart”), countermelody either composed or improvised above a familiar melody. In late medieval music, discantus referred to a particular style of organum featuring one or more countermelodies added to a newly rhythmicized plainsong melody.

What does organum mean?

See Article History. 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.

What does organum mean in Latin?

What does Organum mean? The Origin . Latin – Organum “instrument, tool” Medieval Latin – Organizare. Late Middle English – Organize . Why do you ask for the client to be part of the process? The heart-beat of Organum is to empower the client with the art of organizing.

How did organum develop?

Organum as a musical genre reached its peak in the 12th century with the development of florid organum and two very different schools of 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 .

What is parallel organum?

Organum is a form of polyphony developed in the Middle Ages in which at least one voice is added to the melody to enhance the harmony. An organum is considered “parallel” when the two or more voices are sung in perfect fifths, perfect fourths or octaves.

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