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Period: 300 BCE to 476
Ancient Age
The Ancient Age is the earliest period of human history, spanning roughly from the birth of the first civilizations, around 3000 BC, to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. This period is marked by important developments in politics, religion, economics, technology and culture. Among the great achievements of the Ancient Ages are the invention of writing -
1 BCE
Seikilos Epitaph
The Seikilos Epitaph is an ancient Greek musical composition, written in an epitaph on a funerary stele, dated around the 1st century AD. It is one of the oldest pieces of Western music to survive complete, combining lyrics and musical notation. -
Period: 476 to
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is the historical period extending from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century (ca. 476 AD) to the beginning of the Renaissance at the end of the 15th century (c. 1500). It is characterized by the feudalization of society, the prevalence of the Catholic Church in Europe and the development of political and economic structures based on feudalism. -
590
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant* is a form of monophonic, liturgical vocal music that originated in the Catholic Church in the 6th century, during the papacy of Gregory I, although its development continued for several centuries. Characterized by its a cappella singing, without instrumental accompaniment, and its use of the Latin language, it is performed mainly in the liturgy of the mass and religious offices. -
991
Guido d'Arezzo
Guido d'Arezzo (c. 991 - c. 1033): Italian monk and musical theorist, pioneer in the development of the modern musical notation system and the creation of the tetragram, precursor of the pentagram. -
1098
Hildegard von Bingen
Hildegard von Bingen (1098 - 1179): German mystic, abbess and composer, known for her religious visions and contributions to medieval music and medicine. -
Period: 1100 to 1299
Ars antiqua
The Ars Antiqua (or “Ancient Art”) is a term used to describe European music that developed between the 12th and 13th centuries, especially in medieval France. This era is known for the development of polyphony, where multiple voices or melodies are combined in complex ways. The Ars Antiqua precedes the more sophisticated style of the Ars Nova, which emerged in the 14th century. -
1135
Bernart de Ventadorn
Bernart de Ventadorn (c. 1135-1194) was one of the most prominent troubadours of Provençal poetry in the Middle Ages. Known for his ability to compose lyrical love songs, his works reflect the idealization of courtly love and have influenced European literature. He worked in the service of several noble courts, including that of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and is remembered for works such as “Can vei la lauzeta mover”. His style combined a deep emotional sensitivity with refined poetic techniques. -
1135
Léonin
Léonin (c. 1135-1201), French medieval composer, was the main precursor of the School of Notre Dame, renowned for his development of the two-voice organum, laying the foundations of polyphony in works such as the “Magnus Liber Organi”. -
1155
Perotín
Perotín (c. 1155–1200), compositor medieval francés, fue una figura clave de la Escuela de Notre Dame y pionero en el desarrollo del organum polifónico, ampliando el uso de la polifonía con múltiples voces en obras religiosas como el "Viderunt Omnes". -
1221
Alfonso X el Sabio
Alfonso X the Wise (1221-1284), King of Castile and León, was a monarch noted for his promotion of culture, science and law in medieval Spain. He founded the Toledo School of Translators, promoted the use of Castilian as a cultured language and oversaw the creation of works such as the Cantigas de Santa María and the Code of the Seven Partidas. His visionary approach made him a key figure in the consolidation of Hispanic knowledge and cultural identity. -
1300
Guillaume de Machaut
Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300-1377) was a leading French composer and poet of the Ars Nova, an important medieval musical current. He is known for combining sophisticated poetic texts with innovative polyphonic compositions, as in his masterpiece, the “Mass of Notre Dame,” one of the first masses composed as a unified whole. His influence profoundly marked the sacred and secular music of medieval Europe. -
Period: 1300 to 1399
Ars Nova
The Ars Nova (literally “New Art”) is a period of medieval music that flourished in the 14th century, particularly in France and Italy. This style is characterized by greater rhythmic, melodic and harmonic complexity compared to the Ars Antiqua. Innovations such as more precise notation of rhythmic values and the use of more elaborate polyphony were introduced. -
Period: 1300 to
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural, artistic and scientific movement that took place in Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries, marking the transition from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the Modern Age. This period is characterized by a renewed interest in the classics of Ancient Greece and Rome, which inspired a boom in the arts, sciences, philosophy and literature. -
1325
Francesco Landini
Francesco Landini (c. 1325-1397) was an influential Italian composer, poet and organist of the Trecento period associated with the Italian Ars Nova. Blind as a child, he excelled as an organ virtuoso and for his ability to create expressive and refined melodies. His mainly secular oeuvre includes numerous ballads such as “Ecco la primavera”, which reflect a lyrical and melodic style. Landini was a central figure in the development of early Renaissance music. -
1398
Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1398-1468) was a German inventor recognized as the creator of the movable type printing press in Europe, a breakthrough that revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge. His most notable work is the Gutenberg Bible (1455), considered one of the first mass-printed books. This invention marked the beginning of the era of mass communication, facilitating access to information and transforming culture and education in the West. -
1468
Juan del Encina.
Juan del Encina (c. 1468-1530) was a Spanish composer, poet and playwright, considered one of the first representatives of the Spanish Renaissance. He is known for pioneering the creation of villancicos, a popular musical form of the time, and for his theatrical dramas that combined music and poetry, precursors of the zarzuela. Encina also wrote religious and court music, highlighting his ability to fuse the popular and the cultured. -
1483
Martín Lutero
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German theologian, monk and reformer, known for being the central figure of the Protestant Reformation. In 1517, Luther published his 95 Theses, criticizing indulgences and other practices of the Catholic Church, which triggered profound religious and social change in Europe. His translation of the Bible into German and his emphasis on justification by faith greatly influenced the development of Protestantism and the history of the Christian religion. -
1500
Cristóbal de Morales
Cristóbal de Morales (c. 1500-1553) was a Spanish composer of the Renaissance, one of the most important in the sacred music of his time. His work mainly comprised vocal music, especially masses and motets, and was characterized by a refined polyphony and profound expressiveness. He was one of the first Spanish composers to gain international renown, especially in Rome, where his style influenced the music of the Counter-Reformation. Among his most outstanding works is the “Misa Mille regretz”. -
1510
Antonio de Cabezón
Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566) was a Spanish composer and organist of the Renaissance, considered one of the great masters of keyboard music. Blind since childhood, he stood out for his virtuosity and creativity, leaving a legacy of works such as “Tientos” and “Diferencias”, which influenced European instrumental music. He was a court musician for Charles I and Philip II, consolidating his prestige as a key figure in Renaissance music. -
1525
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina(c1525-1594)was an Italian composer of the Renaissance considered one of the greatest masters of sacred music.His polyphonic style and his mastery of vocal technique made him a reference in liturgical music especially in Gregorian Chant. His most famous work the Mass of Pope Marcellus is an outstanding example of his ability to combine clarity and balance in choral music Palestrina had a profound influence on the evolution of religious music in the Catholic Church -
1532
Orlando di Lasso
Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594) was a Flemish composer and chapel master of the Renaissance, considered one of the greatest musicians of the time. He worked at the court of Munich, where he was noted for his versatility and prolific output in a variety of musical genres, including sacred music, secular vocal music and instrumental music. Among his best known works are his madrigals, motets and masses, which combine a rich polyphonic texture with deep emotional expression. -
1532
Andrea Gabrieli
Andrea Gabrieli (c. 1532-1585) was an Italian Renaissance composer and organist, known for being one of the leading exponents of the Venetian school. His music is characterized by a brilliant polyphonic style and the incorporation of instrumental music in his compositions. He was the teacher of many influential musicians, including his nephew Giovanni Gabrieli. Andrea Gabrieli composed mainly sacred music, such as motets, masses and canons. -
1544
Maddalena Casulana
Maddalena Casulana (c. 1544-1590) was an Italian composer and singer, considered one of the first women to achieve recognition in the field of Renaissance music. Her work is characterized mainly by madrigals and songs, and her polyphonic style influenced the vocal music of her time. Casulana was the first woman to see a collection of 5-voice madrigals published, which allowed her to stand out in a musical world dominated by men. -
1548
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) was a Spanish composer and priest of the Renaissance, considered one of the great masters of sacred music. His style is characterized by the emotional intensity and technical perfection of his vocal polyphony. Victoria was especially recognized for his masses, motets and hymns. His most celebrated works, such as the “Mass O magnum mysterium”, reflect his religious devotion and his ability to create a solemn and profound atmosphere. -
1557
Giovanni Gabrieli
Giovanni Gabrieli (c. 1557-1612) was an Italian composer and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, associated with the Venetian School. He was the nephew of Andrea Gabrieli and is known for his innovative music for choir and instruments, especially in the context of the famous St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Giovanni experimented with sound polarity, creating compositions that alternated between groups of voices and instruments dispersed in different parts of the space. -
1566
Carlo Gesualdo
Carlo Gesualdo(1566-1613) was an Italian composer and prince of the late Renaissance,known for his innovative and emotionally intense musical style.His work is characterized by the use of unusual harmonies, bold modulations,and deep drama, especially in his madrigals and motets.Gesualdo is famous both for his music,which defies the harmonic conventions of his time, and for his turbulent personal life, marked by a family murder.His style influenced later composers and left a mark on Baroque music -
1567
Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) was an Italian composer, singer and conductor, considered one of the most influential figures in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque. He is widely recognized for his innovative approach to opera and his development of vocal music. -
Period: to
Baroque
The Baroque was a cultural, artistic and musical period that extended roughly from the late 16th century to the mid-18th century (c. 1600-1750). In music, the Baroque is characterized by great expressiveness, complex structure, and ornate style in both composition and performance. -
Giacomo Carissimi
Giacomo Carissimi (1605-1674) was an early Baroque Italian composer, known primarily for his sacred works, particularly his oratorios and cantatas. Carissimi is considered one of the pioneers of oratorio as a musical genre, and his influence on the development of Baroque sacred music was considerable. Among his most outstanding works are “Jephte” and “Historia di Jephte”, which combine a strong emotional expressiveness with an innovative use of chorus and orchestration. -
Barbara Strozzi
Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) was an Italian Baroque composer and singer, known for being one of the foremost figures in vocal music of her time. The adopted daughter of composer Francesco Cavalli, Strozzi was one of the few women in the history of Baroque music to achieve a notable reputation as a composer. Her oeuvre comprises mainly cantatas, arias and madrigals, many of which explore themes of love and emotion with great expressiveness. -
Stradivarius
Stradivarius refers to the famous stringed instruments, especially violins, made by Antonio Stradivari, an Italian luthier born in 1644 and died in 1737. Stradivari is considered one of the greatest musical instrument makers in history due to the exceptional quality of his work. His ability to build instruments with a unique sonority and excellent resonance has made the Stradivarius highly valued by musicians, collectors and experts. -
Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell (1659-1695) was an English composer, one of the greatest of his time, and a leading exponent of English Baroque music. His work spans several genres, including operas, sacred music, chamber music, and instrumental music. Purcell is especially known for his ability to combine traditional forms with new musical innovations, creating a deeply emotional and stylistically varied music. -
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist and priest, famous for his virtuoso playing of the violin and for being one of the most important composers of the time. He is particularly known for his series of concertos “The Four Seasons”, which musically represent the different times of the year. Vivaldi was a prolific composer, with more than 500 concertos written, in addition to numerous vocal and sacred works. -
George Philipp Telemann
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was a German composer and musician, one of the most prolific and versatile of Baroque music. Throughout his career, Telemann composed more than 3,000 works, covering almost all musical genres of the time, including concertos, chamber music, sacred music, operas and madrigals. His style is characterized by the adaptation of diverse influences, from French, Italian and German music, which allowed him to integrate elements of different European musical styles. -
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer, organist, violinist and harpsichordist, considered one of the greatest geniuses of classical music and one of the most influential figures of baroque music. His work encompasses a vast output of sacred and secular music, noted for its contrapuntal complexity, deep harmony and emotional expressiveness. -
Georg Friedrich Händel
Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759) was a German-British Baroque composer, known for his prolific output of operatic, orchestral and sacred music. Born in Germany, he moved to London, where he became a central figure in the music of the time.