Final answer:
In Medieval music, sustained notes held over in the background are known as drones. Medieval music is noted for its use of instruments like wooden flutes and for polyphonic textures, with influences seen in some modern music genres. Its distinct sound may be considered beautiful for its emotional depth and historical richness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sustained notes or notes held over in the background of Medieval music is a practice often referred to as a drone. Drones create a continuous harmonic support for the melody and are a key feature of much of the sacred and secular music from the Middle Ages. Medieval music utilized a variety of instruments that are uncommon today, including wooden flutes, recorders, and gemshorns. This music era was characterized by both monophonic and polyphonic textures, with polyphony becoming prevalent in the later medieval period, particularly during the Ars nova movement.
The theory and notation developed during the Medieval period laid the foundation for modern Western music theory, including the development of musical notation that allowed music to be written and shared more reliably. The evolution of this music entailed a broader application of intervals like the third, and a greater emphasis on smooth, polyphonic vocal parts. Medieval music influences can sometimes be heard in modern music, particularly in genres that seek a more ancient or ethereal sound.
When listening to Medieval music, such as Puis qu'en oubli by Machaut, one may notice its distinct qualities; its heavy feel and the use of instruments that produce a sound quite different from contemporary music. Whether it is beautiful is subjective, but the emotional depth and historical context it conveys can be deeply moving.