Universität Wien

160045 UE Introduction to Musical Palaeography (2026W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 16 - Musikwissenschaft und Sprachwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Tu 20.10. 09:45-11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
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Details

max. 40 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 06.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 13.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 27.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 03.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 10.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 17.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 24.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 01.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 15.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 12.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 19.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09
  • Tuesday 26.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Musikwissenschaft UniCampus Hof 9, 3G-EG-09

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Let's say that the written tradition of European music history stretches from around 800 to the present day. That's about 1200 years. Even a glance at the notation of an opera by Monteverdi from around 1600 raises a number of puzzles. In other words, 800 of these 1200 years are characterised by an dazzling diversity of notational practices. The history of European music notation is therefore a history of diversity - social, cultural and philosophical.
The aim of this course is to gain an overview of the forms of notating music in Europe from the early Middle Ages to around 1600. The main focus will be on the changing written conventions over the centuries, but the content will also extend beyond this: from familiarising students with typical forms and genres, questions of written and oral tradition, to conceptions of composition (modality, counterpoint).
The aim of the course is to impart basic knowledge of a range of musical notations which can be easily mastered with a little application in practical exercises, as well as a better understanding of the relationship between music and music notation.

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular and active participation, exercises (to be solved together and individually), short worksheets during the semester, final examination in the last teaching unit. Participants can use aids during the work on the worksheets.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Attendance, participation in the two tests and the final examination. The maximum number of marks for each test is 20; a maximum of 40 marks can be achieved in the examination.
Marking scheme:
80–70 = 1
69–60 = 2
59–50 = 3
49–40 = 4
39–0 = 5

Examination topics

All topics and notations covered in the course.

Reading list

To begin with:
Article ‘Notation’ in: MGG Online, https://www.mgg-online.com/mgg/stable/11416.
A. Lindmayr-Brandl, ‘Mensural Notation’, in: Schrift und Klang in der Musik der Renaissance, ed. by the author, Laaber 2014 (Handbuch der Musik der Renaissance 3), pp. 12–41.
Th. F. Kelly, *Capturing Music. The Story of Notation*, New York etc. 2015.

Textbooks:
M. H. Schmid, *Notationskunde. Schrift und Komposition 900–1900*, Kassel etc. 2012 (Bärenreiter Studienbücher Musik 18); 2nd edition 2016.
J. Grier, *Musical Notation in the West*, Cambridge 2021.
K. Paulsmeier, *Notation Studies: 15th and 16th Centuries*, Basel 2017.
W. Apel, *The Notation of Polyphonic Music*, Leipzig 1962; numerous new editions.

Further reading will be specified in the course.

Association in the course directory

BA: HIS

Last modified: Su 04.10.2026 20:47