Course: Medieval Music

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Course title Medieval Music
Course code KMU/HST
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Spáčilová Jana, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Historical introduction, theoretical and aesthetic foundations 2. Main forms of liturgical music, the liturgical year 3. Origins and development of Gregorian chant, psalmody 4. Modal system, solmization 5. Medieval music notation: basic characteristics of neumatic notation 6. Medieval music notation: tempo, performance, litterae significativae 7. Medieval music notation: choral notation (romana, gotica, rhombica) 8. Hymns, tropes, sequences, liturgical drama 9. Secular monophonic song, instrumental music of the Middle Ages 10. Origins of polyphony, Notre Dame, ars antiqua 11. Ars nova (Guillaume de Machaut) 12. Roots of Renaissance music: ars subtilior, trecento, insular polyphony

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 24 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 25 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide students with a sound understanding of the fundamental characteristics (historical, theoretical, aesthetic and functional) of music from the early period up to the end of the 14th century.
Students will gain knowledge of European art music from its beginnings to the end of the 14th century.
Prerequisites
The course is intended for upper-year students, a prerequisite is successful completion of the course "An Overview of the History of Music".

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Seminar Work

Attendance at lessons, completion of ongoing assignments.
Recommended literature
  • Ćerný Jaromír a kol. (2005). Historická antologie hudby v českých zemích do cca 1530. Praha.
  • Černý, J., Kouba, J., Lébl, V., Ludvová, J., Pilková, Z., Sehnal, J., & Vít, P. (1989). Hudba v českých dějinách: od středověku do nové doby. Praha.
  • Černý, Miroslav K. (2006). Hudba antických kultur. Olomouc.
  • Hoppin, Richard H. (2007). Hudba stredoveku. Bratislava.
  • Hrčková, N. (2005). Dějiny hudby I. Středověk . Praha.
  • Kouba, J. (1988). ABC hudebních slohů: od raného středověku k W.A. Mozartovi. Praha.
  • Krák, E. (2008). Viachlas v hudbe Európy: teoretické, kompozičné a historické súvislosti viachlasnej hudby. Stredovek a renesancia. Bratislava.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter