Sacred Music in the Middle Ages
a) How do the main sacred genres of this time (chant, the mass ordinary, etc.) represent the cultural emphasis on sacred ideologies that exemplified the Middle Ages?
b) Discuss the evolving musical language of the period, with attention to the transition from monophony to polyphony, as represented by the sacred music of this time. Select and discuss one specific musical example from the Middle Ages.
Secular Song in the Renaissance
a) How does the growing interest (composers, performers, and/or audiences) in secular song reflect the humanistic values (humanism) of the Renaissance?
b) Choose one secular song (such as the madrigal) from this time and discuss specific methods by which the meaning of the text is enhanced by the musical setting.
New Genres in the Baroque
a) As large-scale vocal compositions emerged during the Baroque, composers developed different vocal textures to fulfill the requirements of narrative storytelling (either to move the story forward or to add dramatic focus to specific moments or events). Choose an excerpt from a large-scale vocal composition (opera, oratorio, cantata) from the Baroque era and discuss how one of these new vocal genres (specifically recitative or aria) enhances that particular narrative.
b) Discuss ritornello form and musical contrast (dynamics, instruments, tempo, etc.) in a specific instrumental musical selection from the Baroque (such a movement from a concerto).