Part 4/7:
- Wind Instruments: The flute, which was akin to the recorder we know today, and bagpipes, reminiscent of traditional Celtic music, also played important roles in medieval music.
The combination of these instruments provided a wide range of sounds and textures across various musical forms.
Sacred Music: Focus on the Catholic Church
When examining sacred music from the medieval period, it is crucial to recognize that the Catholic Church held a significant influence over musical practices. Under the authority of the Pope, all religious music was primarily composed for Catholic masses and church services.
Sacred music during this time was entirely vocal, meaning it featured only voices without instrumental accompaniment. There were two prominent styles of vocal music: