The Aquitanian Sacred Repertoire in Its Cultural Context: An Examination of Petri clavigeri kari, In hoc anni circulo, and Cantu miro summa laude

The Aquitanian Sacred Repertoire in Its Cultural Context: An Examination of Petri clavigeri kari, In hoc anni circulo, and Cantu miro summa laude

Recek, Andrea Rose

M.A. Thesis, Graduate School of the University of Oregon, September (2008)

Abstract

Medieval Aquitaine was a vibrant region in terms of its politics, religion, and culture, and these interrelated aspects of life created a fertile environment for musical production. A rich manuscript tradition has facilitated numerous studies of Aquitanian sacred music, but to date most previous research has focused on one particular facet of the repertoire, often in isolation from its cultural context. This study seeks to view Aquitanian musical culture through several intersecting sacred and secular concerns and to relate the various musical traditions to the region’s broader societal forces. Saint-Martial in Limoges and Toulouse, two musical and cultural centers, illustrate the wider cultural context in Aquitaine, and a survey of select manuscripts shows the development of a musical tradition. An examination of three disparate pieces shows that the repertoire as a whole is a more unified part of Aquitanian culture than previously recognised.

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