What is Medieval Music? : Gregorian Chant

What do you think of when you here the word “Medieval Music”?

Medieval music is from before 1450.
As many of you can imagine, music from this time period is deeply associated with churches.
In fact, the important musicians were the people who worked for the church, such as priests.

Also, it is pretty different from the classical music we know,
since the vocal music matters more than instrumental music in Medieval music.

How does it sound like? Here is an example; Alleluia: Vidimus Stellam.
Alleluia in the title means hallelujah.

Alleluia vidimus stellam, a song by Anonymous, Chœur de l'abbaye Notre-Dame du Bec-Hellouin on Spotify

Gregorian Chant sounds very calm and otherworldly, right?
Even though music has words, it sounds more spiritual than emotional.

One of the famous composer from Medieval period is
Hildegard of Bingen.
She was the first female composers who made many songs.

Music for Paradise - The Best of Hildegard von Bingen, an album by Hildegard von Bingen, Sequentia on Spotify

Gregorian Chant was monophonic, which means music had a single melody.
After a while the second and third melodic lines were added to Gregorian Chant.
Those with additional melodic lines are called “Organum,” and it sounds like this.

Alleluia: Nativitas composed by Perotin.

Alleluia nativitas, a song by Pérotin, Coro Euridice di Bologna, Trio di Flauti, Pier Paolo Scattolin on Spotify

Learned a bit about Gregorian Chant?
I thought it is interesting to see how monophonic music grew to be more complex polyphony.
Although we cannot listen to actual recordings from Middle age, it is amazing that music from the time period is still available!