ARS NOVA
(“new art ” / “new technique”) by composer Philippe de Vitry (1291-1361) who
penned a treatise Ars Nova (in 1320) on this new way of composing
Ars Nova innovations:
1) duple meter: introduction of duple meter (symbolically, this can be read as the introduction
of rational thought entering the sacred realm). triple = “perfect” duple = “imperfect”
2) isorhythm: a structuring method for motets: sections of musical material
repeated at different rates and lengths during the piece
talea: rhythmic repetition, color: pitch repetition
Hocket: (“hiccup” - rapid exchange of voices)