Which term describes medieval polyphony with a preexisting chant as cantus firmus?

Which term describes medieval polyphony with a preexisting chant as cantus firmus?

• A. Organum
• B. Minnesinger
• C. Trouvere
• D. Vox Principalis

Answer: (A)

Organum describes medieval polyphony built on a preexisting chant used as cantus firmus. In this approach, the chant provides the fixed backbone while one or more added voices move against it to create harmony, often in consonant intervals like fourths or fifths. This defining setup—a chant serving as the cantus firmus with new voices accompanying it—exemplifies the early, characteristic technique of organum and is why it’s the best choice. The other terms point to different ideas: Minnesinger and Trouvere refer to medieval poet-musicians known for courtly love songs in German and Old French traditions, not for a process of adding voices to a chant. Vox principalis relates to a specific voice label within organum textures, but it’s not the general term for the polyphony style itself.

Organum describes medieval polyphony built on a preexisting chant used as cantus firmus. In this approach, the chant provides the fixed backbone while one or more added voices move against it to create harmony, often in consonant intervals like fourths or fifths. This defining setup—a chant serving as the cantus firmus with new voices accompanying it—exemplifies the early, characteristic technique of organum and is why it’s the best choice.

The other terms point to different ideas: Minnesinger and Trouvere refer to medieval poet-musicians known for courtly love songs in German and Old French traditions, not for a process of adding voices to a chant. Vox principalis relates to a specific voice label within organum textures, but it’s not the general term for the polyphony style itself.