Asked by: Floreal Eberdt
Asked in category: video gaming, music and party video games
Last Updated: 3rd Jul 2024

What is Notre Dame organum, and how can it help you?

Background and definition: A polyphonic composition based upon plainchant, in which the new voice(s), or combination thereof, appears above the original voice. The Notre Dame organum style is the most complex organum. It incorporates rhythmic passages and elaborate melismas from the new voices. It was created in Paris during the latter twelfth-century.



You may also wonder, "What is Notre Dame polyphony?"

The Notre-Dame School or Notre-Dame School of Polyphony refers specifically to the group composed at or near Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral from around 1160 to 1250. They also produced the music. Only two composers have their names left from this period: LA(c),onin and PA (c)rotin.

How did organum also develop? Organum was initially improvised by one singer singing a melody (the vocal vox principalis) and another singer playing the harmony (the vocal vox organalis), in fifth and fourth intervals. This form was called heterophonic because only one melody or voice was used in the song.

So, what is Notre Dame School and why is it important for us?

The Notre-Dame school has been significant in the history of music. It produced the first multipart polyphonic music to be published internationally.

What are the different types of organums?

Terms in the set (6)

  • Parallel organum. Parallel motion/parallel voice/no real second voice/two voices are usually at a perfect 5th and 4th.
  • converging organum. oblique motion/both begin on the same note and separate at the end.
  • Free organum Contrary motion
  • Melismatic organum
  • organum purum.
  • discant.