Music During The Middle Ages

When looking back at ancient cultures and civilizations, it is clear that music was as essential then as it is now. Music has been an important part of life since before recorded history allows historians to see. While music has changed in its composition and sound, it has always had the same mental and emotional effect on people. Lou Rawls, an American musician, says that “Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don't understand the language that you're singing in, they still know good music when they hear it.” (Music Quotes). Music has connected and united all types of people, which was clear even in the Renaissance period. It was a unifying force during the period, as the multiple classes: nobles, workers, tradesmen,
Following the Middle Ages, this period led to an upsurge in artistic and academic pursuits. Many new inventions and ideas were introduced, such as Gutenberg’s printing press, which allowed for music and literature to be easily and widely spread. Music in the early Renaissance period was made and popularized through and by the church. Throughout the Middle Ages, the church was filled with chaos, but eventually stabilized, and led to many art forms which were focused on the church and its teachings. Some of the best artists were introduced during this period, and most of them painted religious scenes, such as Da Vinci’s Last Supper. Renaissance music not only defined the culture of the period, as it was an essential part of life, but it also was a significant early influence on future and other art forms. It evolved from church music, which helped more people join and participate in the church, to secular, which changed the other art forms at the time. The enjoyment and creation of music joined the many classes together and has come to define culture and many aspects of society
Religion played a very large role in the Renaissance, and it itself has many themes based on rebirth. The Church was also being recreated, as the Protestant Reformation was happening, so the types of music and art being created were also being changed. The heavy focus on Catholicism was being diverted over to other Christian denominations, which led to philosophical debates over government and war. All of this created more intellectual freedom, which caused a change from the Medieval times where music was only for wealthy religious people to both secular and sacred music for everyone to listen to and perform. As churches fought with one another, people focused their time and education on music. New instruments and dances were introduced, and soon being able to perform and read sheet music showed wealth and dignity. There was also a very close relationship with poetry and music. In sacred music, psalms were very closely related to poetry, and this translated over to secular music as well. The popularity of reading and poetry boomed due to the invention Gutenberg Press, so as many people started learning to read, they started learning to appreciate both music and poetry together. Shakespeare, one of the most influential poets of all time, popularized poetry and made it a common leisure activity. Amy Morrison of Cedarcrest says that “it is