What is serenade: in the Middle Ages, in the classical version

The standard of behavior of a man in love was considered in medieval times the performance of a song for a liked person under her window or balcony. As such a tradition has arisen, it is difficult to say. However, some information about the rules of its execution remained. What is a serenade, who sang it?

Songs of stray musicians

Possession of the secret build-up of sounds in a pleasant ear is a melody, the performance of this on musical instruments has been respected and welcomed throughout the world in all ages. Talented poets and singers walked through towns and villages, delighting and surprising the inhabitants with their art. In different localities they were called in their own way:

• Ancient Greek wandering poets - rapsods;
• Singers of northern European nations - bards;
• In Spain, Italy - troubadours;
• In England and France - minstrels.

Traveling, the musicians not only earned their living by entertaining the public with their performances. They got acquainted with customs and creativity in other countries, transferred some elements of culture from one people to another.

What is a serenade in music?

Definition unequivocally reports that this is a love song performed by a troubadour in the open air. Under the accompaniment of a mandolin, lute or guitar, their knights expressed their elegant and noble feelings for beautiful ladies. Some of them could in the evenings display voice roulades about love without fatigue. In contrast to the morning chanting, alborades, the serenades were sung in the evenings, which was reflected in the name of the genre.

Knightly times are over, and the romantic tradition of nocturnal love concerts remains. And if the lady's admirer did not possess vocal and poetic talents, he was not forbidden to hire for the expression of his feelings a troubadour or a whole ensemble of professionals.

Later, there was music in a love style, written for small orchestras. Usually such accompaniment was ordered by more notable and rich lovers.

Later, when the traditions changed somewhat, to the question of what a serenade was, you could answer that they were quiet melodies performed by a chamber orchestra accompanying a venerable family vacation in the open air.

How has the art of troubadours changed?

In due time, the serenades for the orchestra Haydn and Mozart were written to order. Then the genre, gradually fading, transformed into a romance. What is a serenade in music today? This is a vocal work for performance, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Among the most popular compositions we will refer to the "Serenade" by F. Schubert, whose words cry for love: "My song, fly with a prayer in the hour of the night ..."

Romantic traditions for a private night concert

As for the knight, and for any lover, there was an unwritten code of conduct, a kind of script. After all, what is a serenade, knew not only every girl in medieval Europe. Music was heard by the residents of the surrounding houses, so everything should have been according to tradition. Moreover, the ladies did not just sit on their balconies, contemplating what was happening. They could loudly sigh and reassure the singer or boo and drive away. So, the knight (the fan who decided on an open expression of sympathy) was supposed to:

• Learn to sing with a guitar and write poetry;
• Dress appropriately for the occasion;
• Stock up on a bouquet of fresh flowers;
• Stand under the balcony of the lady or under her window within earshot and visibility;
• Take the first chords and wait for a reaction of the "object of adoration" (the wiggling of the curtains, a loud sigh or a shout of approval);
• Start the performance, praising her beauty, the harmony of the camp, the kindness of the soul and her love for the possessor of all this.

What is a serenade? This is a private communication of lovers in the Middle Ages. If the number and its performer (the song's customer) like the lady, she will appear in the window or go out onto the balcony, throw the knight a meaningful look, a flower or (secretly from strange eyes) a rope ladder. A knight must climb it, regardless of the height with which it was lowered. In any case, the prepared bouquet should be presented to the lady, at least throwing it into the window.

If the song of the troubadour, serenade, musical composition performed by the ensemble did not inspire the girl, she could laugh at the performance, turn away and leave, loudly slamming the door.

The persistent admirer will appear in the morning and sing to his favorite alborada.