MHST 451 - Polyphony East and West,900-1650

Institution:

The New England Conservatory of Music

Subject:

Description:

This study of European polyphony focuses on four historic types dating from the 9th through the 18th centuries: 1) organum; 2) motet; 3) madrigal; and 4) basso continuo. The repertory of polyphony in these four types will be studied in its special notational languages and in its historical context using select pieces from the various periods. European works and practices will be compared with living oral traditions of polyphony in the Mediterranean (Sardinia, Corsica), the Balkans (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey), Africa (Liberia, Congo, South Africa) and Indonesia (Bali). Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on polyphony as an essentially oral, performer-controlled practice. Students will occupy themselves primarily with the European repertoires, acquiring skill at reading early notation systems and transcribing performances from oral traditions. The non-European sources will serve primarily as points of comparison. By the end of the course, students should be able to recognize, by ear and in notation, the four European types and to discuss them as distinct technical and historic forms. Requirements: 1) an 8-page paper on assigned readings of the student's choice; 2) performance projects based on student transcriptions of either recorded non-European examples or early European notations; 3) midterm and final essay exams. Prerequisite: MHST 111. (2 credits) Labaree

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

necmusic.edu

Phone Number:

(617) 585-1100

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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