Music theory. 17th-century book page showing the medieval musical theory of polyphonic composition, with three voices singing the same melody in uniso
Music theory. 17th-century book page showing the medieval musical theory of polyphonic composition, with three voices singing the same melody in unison. The three voices here are superius (higher), contratenor (middle) and tenor (lowest). The contratenor (later known as countertenor) was an addition to the normal two-part contrapuntal texture of discant. The Latin text is from Psalm 83 of the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible. Artwork from 'Cogitata physico-mathematica' (1644), a book on mathematical physics by French theologian, mathematician and music theorist Marin Mersenne (1588-1648).
Size: 3708px × 5197px
Photo credit: © MIDDLE TEMPLE LIBRARY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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