Juglares y Trovadores-EDAD MEDIA-Hablemos de Música.

Summary

The video explores the historical roles of **trovadores** and **juglares** in medieval Iberian Peninsula culture. Trovadores, often from noble classes, were poets who composed fixed lyrics that were passed down in written form. Juglares, itinerant performers, recited and dramatized these works, often improvising and contributing to the oral tradition of popular culture. The video also highlights the evolution of these figures into the modern cantautor (singer-songwriter) in the 20th century. Through their different roles in society, both the trovador and juglar played significant parts in the transmission of lyrical and musical traditions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The **trovador** was a poet from the noble class, composing fixed, written songs that were passed down unchanged.
• 😀 The **juglar** was a common person who traveled to perform the compositions of trovadores, often with improvisation and dramatic elements.
• 😀 Trovadores did not need to perform; their art was an expression of love and lyricism, focused on written compositions.
• 😀 Juglares would recite poems with specific intonations, incorporating actions and mime to enhance the storytelling experience.
• 😀 Juglares were key to spreading oral traditions and folklore, becoming the primary vehicle for the transmission of popular songs.
• 😀 Musical juglares could specialize in different instruments, with string instrument players considered of higher status compared to wind or percussion instrument players.
• 😀 The most prestigious juglares played string instruments like the vihuela, while tamborists were considered the lowest-ranked musicians.
• 😀 Juglares played instruments according to the needs of the event, with louder instruments being placed farther away and quieter instruments closer.
• 😀 The **trovador** tradition influenced not only Castilian lyricism but also the Galician-Portuguese, Mozarabic, and Sephardic music in Spain.
• 😀 The figure of the cantautor (singer-songwriter) emerged in the 20th century, combining elements from both the trovador and juglar traditions.

Q & A

What was the main role of the 'juglar lírico' in medieval Iberian society?

The 'juglar lírico' was a lyrical minstrel who performed poetic compositions, often written by trovadores, to the public. They aimed to gain recognition and potentially move up to the status of a trovador but often remained in an intermediary category called 'secreto'.

How did the music and poetry traditions in Iberia vary by region?

In Iberia, lyrical traditions varied by region. Galician-Portuguese lyricism was dominant in the west, while Castilian lyricism was prevalent in the central parts. In the south, Mozarabic lyricism flourished, such as in the jarchas, and there was also an influence from Sefardic music in Jewish communities.

What roles did juglares who specialized in instruments play in society?

Instrumentalist juglares played at festivals, in noble courts, religious events, and other social gatherings. They earned their living through performance and were often employed by royal families, clergy, or cities, sometimes selling goods like clothes and food for additional income.

How were juglares categorized based on the instruments they played?

Juglares were categorized according to the instruments they played. Those who played stringed instruments were at the top of the hierarchy, followed by wind instrument players, and percussionists like drummers held the lowest rank.

What was the relationship between juglares and the events they performed at?

Juglares were assigned to specific roles at events based on the volume of their instruments. If an event required a quieter atmosphere, those playing louder instruments would be placed further away, while quieter instruments were closer to the audience to create the desired sound balance.

How did the roles of trovador and juglar differ in terms of social status and composition?

The trovador was usually from a higher social class, often noble, and composed written poems that were passed down unchanged. In contrast, the juglar was a common person who performed these poems orally, often improvising and adding dramatization to engage the audience.

What was the main distinction between how trovadores and juglares interacted with their compositions?

Trovadores composed fixed, written poems that did not change over time and did not need to perform them for a living. Juglares, however, were responsible for orally performing and transmitting these compositions, often improvising or adapting them during their performances.

What is the significance of juglares in the development of oral traditions and folklore?

Juglares played a key role in preserving and transmitting oral traditions, as they would recite and perform popular poems. This led to the creation of folklore, as they made the lyrical works accessible to a broader audience through their oral performances.

How did the role of the trovador evolve into the cantautor in the 20th century?

The role of the trovador evolved into the cantautor (singer-songwriter) in the 20th century, combining written poetry with oral performance. Like trovadores, cantautores create lyrical works, but they also perform them for their audiences, reflecting the influence of both troubadours and juglares.

What was the importance of the fixed written compositions of trovadores?

The fixed written compositions of trovadores were important because they ensured the transmission of their poetry without changes or distortions. These written works were a form of high culture and intellectual expression, often preserved for future generations.