Music Paleography
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to lead students to the knowledge of the musical writing of western civilization, from its first appearance at the end of the ninth century (neumatic notations) until the period of its transformation into the modern notational system (second half of the seventeenth century). During the course, the learner will have the opportunity to approach the original sources, analyze them and transcribe them in modern notation.
Expected learning outcomes
The student must be able to recognize and perform the main notations in use from the end of the 9th century until the 17th century (Dasian system, modal notation, Franconian notation, Ars nova, Italian fourteenth century, white mensural notation of the middle of the XVI century); to know the theoretical rules of each notation; to translate the ancient signs into the modern notational system.
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
(Erogato presso il Conservatorio)
Course syllabus
Unit A
- Neumatic notations (from the 9th to the 13th century)
- Winchester Troparium and Codex Calixtinus
- The era of Nôtre Dame (modal notation, early 13th century)
- Pre-Fraconian, Franconian and Petrus de Cruce notation (from mid to late 13th century)
- Notation of the French fourteenth century (Ars nova) and of the Italian fourteenth century
- Mixed and manner notation. White mensural notation
- Musical treatises
Unit B
- Transcription criteria.
- Types of transcription
- Practical exercises of transcriptions made on musical texts taken from the main manuscripts of the XIII-XV centuries and printed editions of the XVI century.
- Neumatic notations (from the 9th to the 13th century)
- Winchester Troparium and Codex Calixtinus
- The era of Nôtre Dame (modal notation, early 13th century)
- Pre-Fraconian, Franconian and Petrus de Cruce notation (from mid to late 13th century)
- Notation of the French fourteenth century (Ars nova) and of the Italian fourteenth century
- Mixed and manner notation. White mensural notation
- Musical treatises
Unit B
- Transcription criteria.
- Types of transcription
- Practical exercises of transcriptions made on musical texts taken from the main manuscripts of the XIII-XV centuries and printed editions of the XVI century.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of musical language is needed, as well as the knowledge of musical grammar and notation.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lessons will be accompanied by practical exercises using examples taken from original sources and aimed at solving specific problems.
Teaching Resources
JOHANNES WOLF, Geshichte der Mensuralnotation, I-III, Leipzig, 1904
Johannes Wolf, Handbuch der Notationskunde, I-II, Leipzig, 1919.
CARL PARRISH, The Notation of Medieval Music, New York, 1978.
HEINRICH BELLERMANN, Die Mensuralnotationen und Taktzeichen des XV und XVI Jahrunderts, Berlin, 1930.
WILLI APEL, Die Notation der Polyphonen Musik, 900-1600, Leipzig, 1962 (edizione italiana, La notazione della musica polifonica dal X al XVII secolo, Firenze, 1984).
PHILIPPE VENDRIX, Histoire de la notation du Moyen Age à la Renaissance, Paris, 2003.
Johannes Wolf, Handbuch der Notationskunde, I-II, Leipzig, 1919.
CARL PARRISH, The Notation of Medieval Music, New York, 1978.
HEINRICH BELLERMANN, Die Mensuralnotationen und Taktzeichen des XV und XVI Jahrunderts, Berlin, 1930.
WILLI APEL, Die Notation der Polyphonen Musik, 900-1600, Leipzig, 1962 (edizione italiana, La notazione della musica polifonica dal X al XVII secolo, Firenze, 1984).
PHILIPPE VENDRIX, Histoire de la notation du Moyen Age à la Renaissance, Paris, 2003.
Assessment methods and Criteria
A six-hour written test verifies the effective degree of learning of the different types of notation; an oral test ensures the effective learning of of disciplinary principles, theoretical notions taught during the course.
L-ART/07 - MUSICOLOGY AND HISTORY OF MUSIC - University credits: 6
Lessons: 45 hours