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101 BCE
Epitaph of Seikilos
The oldest known piece of music, inscribed on a tombstone. -
Period: 476 to 1453
Middle Ages
It is the second of the three traditional divisions of Western history: antiquity, medieval, and modern. -
900
Gregorian Chant
A style of sacred vocal music of the Catholic Church, popular in the Middle Ages -
991
Guido d'Arezzo
Italian monk, creator of the modern music notation system. -
1098
Hildegard von Bingen
German composer and mystic, a pioneer in liturgical music. -
1130
Bernart de Ventadorn
Provençal troubadour known for lyric poetry and music. -
1135
Leonin
Composer associated with the Notre Dame School, a pioneer in organum. -
1150
Ars Antiqua
Medieval music period characterized by the development of organum. -
1155
Perotin
One of the earliest polyphonic composers from the Notre Dame School. -
1221
Alfonso X
Spanish king, promoter of music and culture, author of the Cantigas. -
1300
Guillaume de Machaut
French composer and poet, key figure of Ars Nova. -
1325
Francesco Landini
Italian composer and master of the trecento, known for his ballads. -
Period: 1375 to
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that revived interest in classical art, science, and philosophy. -
1400
Johannes Gutenberg
Inventor of the printing press, revolutionized music distribution. -
1400
Ars Nova
Period that renewed rhythmic and polyphonic music in France and Italy. -
1468
Juan del Encina
Spanish poet and musician, precursor of Renaissance musical drama. -
1483
Martin Luther
German religious reformer, introduced choral singing in liturgy. -
1500
Cristóbal de Morales
Spanish composer, among the first to bring Renaissance style to Rome. -
1510
Antonio de Cabezón
Spanish composer and organist, known for keyboard music. -
1525
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Italian composer, master of Renaissance sacred music -
1532
Orlando di Lasso
Franco-Flemish composer renowned for polyphonic vocal music. -
1533
Andrea Gabrieli
Italian composer, pioneer of the Venetian style of music. -
1544
Maddalena Casulana
Italian composer, first woman to publish her works. -
1548
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Spanish composer, a master of Renaissance sacred music. -
1557
Giovanni Gabrieli
Italian composer, famous for his works for brass ensembles. -
1566
Carlo Gesualdo
Italian prince and composer known for expressive, dissonant music. -
1567
Claudio Monteverdi
Italian composer, one of the first to develop opera. -
Period: 1580 to
Baroque
The Baroque was an artistic and cultural movement of the 17th century characterized by excessive ornamentation, emotional contrasts, and a pessimistic view of life, reflecting the social, religious, and political tensions of the time. -
Giacomo Carissimi
Italian composer, a pioneer of the Baroque oratorio. -
Barbara Strozzi
Italian composer, renowned for her sacred and secular vocal music. -
Stradivarius (Antonio Stradivari)
Italian luthier, creator of world-renowned violins. -
Henry Purcell
English composer, influential in English Baroque music. -
George Philipp Telemann
English composer, influential in English Baroque music. -
Antonio Vivaldi
Italian composer, famous for concertos, especially The Four Seasons. -
Georg Friedrich Handel
German composer, known for oratorios like The Messiah. -
Johann Sebastian Bach
German composer, one of the greatest figures in Baroque music.