Medieval Period (476-1600)

The Fall of Rome

476

"Barbarian" groups such as the Goths and Germanic tribes were attacking the boarders of the Roman empire and capturing cities. The Romans also fell to a poor economy, and heavily relied on slave labor. There was also a problem of overexpansion and military overspending. With all this going on, there's no surprise why the empire fell. Without the influence of the Romans, slow changes in culture rose to new music.

The Middle Ages

Period: 476 to 1435

With the fall of the Roman empire, there were new views of music. Music was either divine or cosmic. Most of this music is sacred and from the church. The musicians knew about the Greek theory but did not have any examples. Music was preserved by the members of these communities. They also believed that music could affect a person in a good or bad way. Characteristics
Plainchant- unaccompanied sacred song
Modes- each scale had a unique arrangement of whole and half steps

Gregorian Chant

715

Roman Dialect of chant. Cataloged by Pope Gregory (ruled 715-731). Not much range, expressiveness, or any leaps. There also was not rhythm.

Organum

800

Earliest form of polyphony that is written down. Plainchant "melody" with an added melody. Sung piece of parallel 4ths and 5ths. 3rds were dissonant because of earlier tuning systems.

Guido d'Arezzo (c. 991-c.1033)

991

Credited with "inventing" the first staff. Created the 4 line staff with a red line as middle c and the line below, f.

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)

1098

German composer from Rupertsberg. She is the first female composer to receive extensive research. She wrote liturgical dramas and religious poetry. She accomplished so much despite being a woman in the 11th century.

Leonin (fl. 1150-c. 1201)

1150

Identified with the School of Notre Dame. First polyphonic composer that we know of. Wrote two and three part organum.

Perotin (fl. c. 1200)

1200

Identified with the School of Rome. Carried on with what Leonin wrote. Wrote four, five, and six part organum.

The Medieval Motet

1290

Composers began writing new texts and music. This resulted in the "motet" genre. It was more text than chant, and instruments were included. Texts in French, Latin, and in some cases both.

Philippe de Vitry (1291-1361)

1291

First composer of the Ars Nova. French priest.

Ars nova (1300-1350)

1300

"New art". Composers and theorists speak about this new art. Most of the innovations are in rhythm. Was a style that could handle these innovations.

Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300-1377)

1300

Most famous composer and poet at the time. French priest. More than 20 extant motets, and wrote one of the first polyphonic mass cycles.

Francesco Landini (c. 1325-1397)

1325

Italian poet, composer, theorist, and organist. He was blind and was famous for being a blind composer.

Black Death

Period: 1340 to 1353

A plague swept over Europe that killed roughly 75 million people, a substantial amount of the population.

John Dunstable (c. 1390-1453)

1390

English composer that was a major influence all over Europe. Composers were impressed by the "English quality". Used more 3rds and 6ths in harmonies. Copies of his works have been found in German and Italian manuscript. His complete works were not published until 1953.

Renaissance Period

Period: 1430 to 1600

The musical style came out in England, and the art originated in Italy. Brought new complex currents of thought concerning arts, science, and religion. Chants were paraphrased, and emphasis shifted from function to beauty. The new melodies were now placed in the top voice.

Johannes Tinctoris (c. 1435-1511)

1435

Composer and music theorist. He wrote about contemporary music. Wrote the "Diffinitorum musices", the first music dictionary.

Josquin des Prez (ca. 1450-1521)

1450

French composer who served in Italian courts. In 1503, as Maestro di cappella he earned the highest salary in that court's history. Worked in Notre Dame and filled his music with emotion.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

1452

Italian painter, inventor, scientist, theorist, and architect. One of the most famous men of all time. Despite being uneducated, da Vinci was one of the most brilliant people of his time.

Martin Luther and the 95 Theses

1517

After criticizing the Catholic church, Martin Luther is excommunicated. Luther then goes on to form the Protestant movement, or the Reformation. New music was written for these masses in the countries the Protest belief was adopted.

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)

1525

Italian composer that wrote sacred music. The most famous composer from the Renaissance. Wrote in the High Renaissance Style. Rose to the challenges of the Counsel of Trent and saved polyphony.

Italian Madrigal

1530

Originated in Florence as a form of aristocratic entertainment. One voice on each part. Sometimes instruments would play a voice part.

The Counsel of Trent (1545-1563)

1545

Catholic leaders called for a reform of music. This counsel set new guidelines for musicians. It was a large counter reformation against Martin Luther. They wanted clear words, no more secular themes, and for musicians to act in a reverent manner.

Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)

1583

Finest organist of the early Baroque period. Worked at St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. One of the main influencers of J.S. Bach. He wrote toccattas, canzonas, dance suites, and variation sets.

First Opera

1600

Invented in Florence by the Florentine Camerata. They wanted to recreate Greek poetry and theater. They wanted to produce emotion and they believed that only a solo voice could do that.