Music history

  • Period: 3300 BCE to 460

    The Antiquity

    Antiquity refers to the period of ancient history before the Middle Ages, lasting from around 3000 BCE to 500 CE. It includes the rise of civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These societies made important contributions in areas like writing, art, politics, and philosophy. Antiquity ended with the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
  • 100

    Epitafio de Seikilios

    Epitafio de Seikilios
    The epitafio de seikilos is the oldest complete musical composition currently preserved. It was constructed by a certain Sicylus for his wife Euterpe, near the Trales, present-day city of Aydin. Also the epitafio de seikilos tells us these wise words: As long as you live, shine, do not suffer for anything at all.
  • Period: 460 to 460

    The end of the Antiquity

    The end of Antiquity happened around 460 CE, when the Western Roman Empire fell. This marked the start of the Middle Ages in Europe.
  • Period: 476 to 1492

    The Middle Age

    The Middle Ages, or medieval period, lasted roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century in Europe. It began after the fall of the Roman Empire and ended with the Renaissance. This time is divided into three parts: Early, High, and Late Middle Ages. It was marked by feudalism, the power of the Church, knights, and castles. Over time, cities grew, trade increased, and cultural and scientific progress set the stage for the modern era.
  • 600

    The Gregorian Chant

    The Gregorian Chant
    The Gregorian was the liturgical chant of the church of Rome, influenced by the Gallican in the second half of the 8th century, whose extension to the entire West took place at the same time as that of the Latin rite itself, of which it was the acoustic expression. The name Gregorian chant comes from the fact that its compilation is attributed to Pope Gregory the Great, and it is an evolution of Roman chant compared to Gallican chant.
  • 1050

    Guido d’Arezzo

    Guido d’Arezzo
    Was an Italian monk and music theorist who revoluced music notation. He developed the four-linestaff, making a clearer partiture.
  • 1135

    Bernart de Ventadorn

    Bernart de Ventadorn
    Bernart de Ventadorn (c. 1135-1194) fue un destacado trovador occitano, maestro del amor cortés. De origen humilde, su talento lo llevó a las cortes nobles, donde compuso refinadas canciones como Can vei la lauzeta mover. Su poesía, marcada por la sensibilidad y el idealismo amoroso, influyó en la lírica medieval europea. Pasó sus últimos años en un monasterio, dejando un legado perdurable en la tradición trovadoresca.
  • 1179

    Hildegard von Bingen

    Hildegard von Bingen
    Was a German Benedictine abbess, mystic, writer and compositer. She was known for her divine visions, she documented them in works like Scivias.
  • 1200

    Perotin

    Perotin
    Was a composer of the Notre Dame school of poliphony in paris around the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He expanded poliphony by creating complex compotitions with up to four voices.
    Most famout works: Viderum Ommes and Sederunt Principes.
  • 1200

    Leonin

    Leonin
    Is a French composer from Paris. He was alive during the 12th centuary and he was one of the earliest known creators of polyphonic music. He was associated with the Notre Dame School and he developed two-part organum.
  • 1221

    Alfonso X el Sabio

    Alfonso X el Sabio
    Alfonso X el Sabio (1221-1284), fue rey de Castilla y León que destacó por su labor cultural. Impulsó la traducción de textos clásicos y creó las Cantigas de Santa María y las Siete Partidas, también promovió avances en astronomía, historia y derecho. Su reinado tuvo conflictos pero dejó un legado cultural clave en la península ibérica.
  • 1240

    The Ars Antiqua

    The Ars Antiqua
    During The Ars Antiqua the first polyphonic form was developed: the organum. And it´s main composers were Leonin and Perotin from the Notre Dame school in france wich was the most famous school in the Ars Antiqua.
  • 1300

    Guillaume de Machaut

    Guillaume de Machaut
    Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300-1377) fue un poeta y compositor francés y figura clave del Ars Nova. Sirvió en cortes nobles y destacó por su poesía lírica y sus innovadoras composiciones musicales, como la Misa de Notre Dame. Su obra influyó en la música y literatura medieval.
  • 1320

    The Ars Nova

    The Ars Nova
    During the Ars Nova the society begins a a slow process of secularitation. There is a rise in the middleclasses and a weaking of the prestige of the Church; and this factcauses secular music to begin to acquire greater importance compared to religious music. The most widely used form in the Ars Nova is the motet, but also they used the forms canon, ballad and chanson.
  • 1325

    Francesco Landini

    Francesco Landini
    Francesco Landini (c. 1325-1397) fue un compositor, organista y poeta italiano y destacado representante del Ars Nova. Fue ciego desde niño, creó numerosas obras polifónicas, especialmente madrigales, y fue clave en el desarrollo de la música italiana del siglo XIV.
  • Period: 1350 to

    The Renaissance

    The Renaissance was a cultural movement in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century. It focused on rediscovering ancient Greek and Roman ideas, emphasizing art, science, and humanism. Key figures include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo.
  • 1398

    Johannes Gutenberg

    Johannes Gutenberg
    Johannes Gutenberg (h. 1398-1468) fue un inventor alemán que creó la imprenta de tipos móviles hacia el 1440. Su obra más famosa es la Biblia de Gutenberg (1455). Y su invento revolucionó la difusión del conocimiento y marcó el inicio de la era moderna.
  • 1468

    Juan del Encina

    Juan del Encina
    Juan del Encina (1468-1529) was a Spanish poet, playwright, and composer of the Renaissance. He is known as one of the founders of Spanish theatre. He is known for his villancicos and eclogues, blending music and literature in his work.
  • 1483

    Martín Lutero

    Martín Lutero
    Martín Lutero (1483-1546) fue un teólogo alemán, líder de la Reforma Protestante. Cuestionó a la Iglesia Católica con 95 tesis, promoviendo la salvación por la fe y traduciendo la Biblia al alemán. Su obra transformó el cristianismo en Europa.
  • Period: 1490 to 1492

    The end of The Middle Age

  • 1500

    Cristóbal de Morales

    Cristóbal de Morales
    Cristóbal de Morales (1500-1553) fue un compositor español del Renacimiento, destacado por su música sacra y su influencia en la polifonía europea. Trabajó en la Capilla Sixtina y es considerado uno de los grandes maestros de su época.
  • 1510

    Antonio de Cabezón

    Antonio de Cabezón
    Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566) fue un compositor y organista español del Renacimiento, célebre por su música para tecla. Sirvió en la corte de Carlos I y Felipe II, dejando un legado destacado en la música instrumental europea.
  • 1525

    Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

    Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
    Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) fue un compositor italiano del Renacimiento, maestro del estilo polifónico. Su música, considerada modelo de la Contrarreforma, tuvo gran influencia en la música sacra occidental.
  • 1532

    Orlando di Lasso

    Orlando di Lasso
    Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594) fue un compositor franco-flamenco del Renacimiento, famoso por su versatilidad y obras polifónicas. Trabajó en la corte bávara y es considerado uno de los grandes maestros de su época.
  • 1532

    Andrea Gabrieli

    Andrea Gabrieli
    Andrea Gabrieli (1532-1585) fue un compositor y organista italiano del Renacimiento, destacado por su música sacra y su trabajo en la Basílica de San Marcos en Venecia. También fue clave en el desarrollo del estilo veneciano policoral.
  • 1544

    Maddalena Casulana

    Maddalena Casulana
    Maddalena Casulana (1544-1590) was an Italian composer and singer, notable for being one of the first women to have her music published. She composed madrigals and sacred music during the Renaissance.
  • 1548

    Tomás Luis de Victoria

    Tomás Luis de Victoria
    Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) fue un compositor y sacerdote español del Renacimiento, maestro de la música sacra. Su obra destaca por su profunda espiritualidad y estilo polifónico refinado.
  • 1557

    Giovanni Gabrieli

    Giovanni Gabrieli
    Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1612) was an Italian composer and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque. He was nephew of Andrea Gabrieli and he worked at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and is renowned for his polychoral works and innovations in instrumental music.
  • 1566

    Carlo Gesualdo

    Carlo Gesualdo
    Carlo Gesualdo (1566-1613) fue un compositor y príncipe italiano del Renacimiento tardío, conocido por sus madrigales llenos de audaces disonancias. Su vida estuvo marcada por su música innovadora y un crimen pasional.
  • 1567

    Claudio Monteverdi

    Claudio Monteverdi
    Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643) was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He wrote madrigals, operas, and sacred music, including L’Orfeo, one of the first great operas. His work helped change music from Renaissance to Baroque styles.
  • Period: to

    The Barroque

    The Baroque was an art style in Europe from the late 1500s to the early 1700s. It focused on emotion, drama, and detailed decoration. It appeared in painting, music, architecture, and sculpture. Important artists include Caravaggio, Bernini, and Bach.
  • Giacomo Carissimi

    Giacomo Carissimi
    Giacomo Carissimi (1605–1674) was an Italian Baroque composer and priest. He is best known for developing the oratorio and composing expressive vocal music. His works influenced many later composers and shaped the Baroque style.
  • Barbara Strozzi

    Barbara Strozzi
    Barbara Strozzi (1619–1677) was an Italian composer and singer of the Baroque era. Known for her vocal works, she published eight collections of music, focusing on secular cantatas and arias. Despite challenges as a woman in music, her compositions gained recognition for their emotional depth and originality.
  • Antonio Stradivari

    Antonio Stradivari
    Antonio Stradivari (1644–1737), known as Stradivarius, was an Italian luthier famous for crafting exceptional violins, violas, and cellos. His instruments are renowned for their unmatched quality and sound, remaining highly prized today.
  • Henry Purcell

    Henry Purcell
    Henry Purcell (1659–1695) was an English composer of the Baroque period. He wrote music for the church, stage, and court, including the famous opera Dido and Aeneas. His work is admired for its beauty and influence on English music.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Antonio Vivaldi
    Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) was an Italian composer and violinist from Venice. He became a priest and taught music at an orphanage, where he wrote many of his works. His most famous piece is The Four Seasons. Though popular during his life, he died forgotten, and his music was rediscovered in the 20th century.
  • George Philipp Telemann

    George Philipp Telemann
    Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767) was a German composer and multi-instrumentalist of the Baroque era. Prolific and versatile, he wrote in various styles, creating over 3,000 works, including orchestral suites, chamber music, and operas. He was one of the most celebrated composers of his time.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque era, renowned for his mastery of counterpoint, harmony, and musical structure. He served as a church organist, court musician, and composer in various positions, producing influential works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, Mass in B Minor, and The Well-Tempered Clavier.
  • Georg Friedrich Händel

    Georg Friedrich Händel
    Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759) was a German-born composer who spent much of his career in England. He is famous for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental works, including Messiah and Water Music. Händel’s music was popular in his time and remains well-loved today for its beauty and grandeur.
  • J. Haydn

    J. Haydn
    Joseph Haydn was a famous Austrian composer from the Classical period. He is known as the "Father of the Symphony" and the "Father of the String Quartet" because he made these music forms very popular. Haydn wrote over 100 symphonies and many quartets, and his music is cheerful and full of surprises. He worked for a noble family for most of his life, and his music had a big influence on other composers, including Mozart and Beethoven.
  • Nannerl Mozart

    Nannerl Mozart
    Nannerl Mozart, whose full name was Maria Anna Mozart, was the older sister of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. She was a talented musician and pianist, and as a child, she performed in concerts with her brother.
  • Maria Theresia Von Paradis

    Maria Theresia Von Paradis
    Maria Theresia von Paradis was an Austrian pianist, composer, and singer. She became blind at a young age but didn’t let that stop her from pursuing a career in music. Maria Theresia composed many works, including piano pieces, songs, and orchestral music. She was also famous for her performances and was highly respected by her peers. Despite her blindness, she was one of the leading musicians of her time and worked with famous composers like Salieri and Mozart.
  • Beethoven

    Beethoven
    Ludwig van Beethoven was a famous German composer and pianist, known for his powerful and emotional music. He is one of the most important figures in classical music. Beethoven composed nine symphonies, many piano sonatas, and string quartets. Even after he began losing his hearing, he continued to compose some of his best works. His music changed the way people thought about music, and he influenced many other composers.
  • Christophe Willibald Gluck

    Christophe Willibald Gluck
    Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787) was a German composer famous for his operas. He is best known for reforming opera by making the music more connected to the drama. Before him, opera had many complicated and flashy solos, but Gluck wanted the music to serve the story and the emotions of the characters. His operas, like Orfeo ed Euridice and Alceste, focused on simplicity and clarity. Gluck's work had a big influence on future composers and helped shape the development of classical music
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was an Austrian composer who created many famous pieces, like operas, symphonies, and concertos. His music is known for its beauty, complexity, and emotional depth. Mozart wrote over 600 works, including The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni, and is considered one of the greatest composers in history.
  • Rossini

    Rossini
    Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868) was an Italian composer famous for his operas. He wrote 39 operas, including The Barber of Seville and William Tell, which are still very popular today. Known for his cheerful melodies and fast-paced music, he was a big influence on 19th-century opera. Rossini retired from composing operas at just 37 but later wrote smaller pieces, including sacred music. His work is celebrated for its creativity and energy.
  • Schubert

    Schubert
    Franz Schubert was an Austrian composer known for his beautiful melodies and emotional depth. He wrote over 600 songs, as well as symphonies, chamber music, and piano pieces. Schubert's music often expresses feelings of longing, sadness, and joy. He composed many of his most famous works while still very young, but sadly, he died at the age of 31. Even though his life was short, Schubert's music had a huge influence on later composers and is still loved by audiences today.
  • Hector Berlioz

    Hector Berlioz
    Hector Berlioz was a French composer, born in 1803. He was super creative and a bit rebellious when it came to music, often breaking the rules of classical music at the time. Berlioz is best known for his dramatic and powerful compositions, like his Symphonie Fantastique, which tells a crazy story through music. He loved using big orchestras and was one of the first composers to really experiment with sounds and emotions in his music.
  • Mendelssohn

    Mendelssohn
    Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, and conductor, born in 1809. He was a child prodigy and started composing music when he was really young. Mendelssohn is known for his beautiful melodies and his ability to blend different music styles. Some of his most famous works are the Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and his Violin Concerto. He was also a great conductor and helped revive the music of Bach.
  • Schumann

    Schumann
    Robert Schumann was a German composer and pianist, known for his deep emotional music and creativity. He wrote many symphonies, piano pieces, and songs, and is famous for his beautiful melodies and rich harmonies. Schumann also wrote music that reflected his personal struggles, especially with his mental health. He had a strong influence on the Romantic period of music. Schumann was married to Clara Schumann, one of the greatest pianists of his time.
  • Chopin

    Chopin
    Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849) was a Polish composer and pianist known for his beautiful piano music. He wrote pieces like nocturnes, waltzes, and études that are full of emotion and elegance. Chopin spent most of his life in Paris and became one of the most famous musicians of his time. His music is still loved today for its creativity and expressiveness, making him one of the greatest composers for piano.
  • Verdi

    Verdi
    Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) was a famous Italian composer known for his operas. He wrote classics like La Traviata, Aida, and Rigoletto, which are still performed worldwide. Verdi’s music is emotional and dramatic, often dealing with themes like love, power, and freedom. He became a symbol of Italian unity during his time. Verdi composed until his old age and is considered one of the greatest opera composers in history.
  • Wagner

    Wagner
    Richard Wagner (1813–1883) was a German composer famous for his powerful and dramatic operas. He wrote works like The Ring of the Nibelung and Tristan und Isolde, which are known for their long, complex music and deep emotions. Wagner changed opera by using “leitmotifs,” musical themes for characters or ideas. His work was groundbreaking and made him one of the most important composers in history.
  • Franz Liszt

    Franz Liszt
    Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer and pianist, born in 1811. He was super talented and became one of the greatest pianists ever, known for his amazing performances and technical skills. Liszt was a big deal in the 19th century, creating lots of music like symphonic poems, and he was also one of the first musicians to have a huge public following. Besides his music, he had a fascinating life, full of love, travel, and a bit of drama.
  • Clara Schumann

    Clara Schumann
    Clara Schumann was a German pianist and composer, born in 1819. She was a child prodigy, like really famous for her piano skills from a young age. Clara married the composer Robert Schumann and was a huge support to him and his music. But she was also an amazing composer herself, with beautiful piano pieces and songs. She toured all over Europe, performing for big audiences, and was known for her elegance and passion in her music.
  • Smetana

    Smetana
    Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer, born in 1824. He’s known as the father of Czech music because he helped create a national style for Czech classical music. His most famous work is Má vlast (My Country), which includes the well-known piece The Moldau, a beautiful musical portrayal of a river flowing through the Czech landscape. Smetana's music was deeply connected to his love for his homeland. Even though he struggled with deafness later in life, he kept composing incredible music.
  • Brahms

    Brahms
    Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, known for his rich, complex music that blends classical traditions with romantic emotion. He wrote symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and many piano pieces. Brahms was admired for his skill in creating deep, powerful music with beautiful melodies.
  • Musorgski

    Musorgski
    Modest Mussorgsky was a Russian composer, born in 1839. He’s famous for his unique and powerful music that often reflects Russian history and culture. His most famous work is Pictures at an Exhibition, which paints vivid images through music. Mussorgsky didn’t follow traditional rules; his style was more raw and emotional, which made his music stand out. He was also part of a group of composers known as "The Mighty Handful," who wanted to create a distinctly Russian sound in classical music.
  • Chaikovski

    Chaikovski
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer, born in 1840. He’s super famous for his emotional and beautiful music, especially his ballets like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky had a tough life, dealing with personal struggles and being a bit of an outsider in society. But despite that, he created some of the most beloved and dramatic music ever.
  • Dvorak

    Dvorak
    Antonín Dvořák was a Czech composer, born in 1841. He’s famous for blending Czech folk music with classical music, creating a sound that was both unique and universal. His most famous work is Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", which he composed while living in the United States and was inspired by American music and landscapes. Dvořák also wrote beautiful chamber music, like his String Quartet No. 12 ("American").
  • Grieg

    Grieg
    Edvard Grieg was a Norwegian composer, born in 1843. He’s known for creating music that perfectly captures the beauty and spirit of Norway. His most famous work is Peer Gynt, a suite of music from the play by Henrik Ibsen, which includes the well-known pieces In the Hall of the Mountain King and Morning Mood. Grieg’s music often reflects Norwegian folk tunes, and he helped make Scandinavian music popular worldwide.
  • Rimski Korsakov

    Rimski Korsakov
    Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer, born in 1844. He’s known for his colorful and magical music, often inspired by Russian folk tales and mythology. Some of his most famous works are Scheherazade and The Flight of the Bumblebee. Rimsky-Korsakov was also a skilled conductor and a teacher who helped many other composers. He loved experimenting with orchestration, making his music sound really rich and vibrant.
  • Puccini

    Puccini
    Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) was an Italian composer known for his beautiful and emotional operas. He wrote famous works like La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, which are loved for their heartfelt music and relatable characters. Puccini was a master at blending drama and melody, creating operas that connect deeply with audiences. His work made him one of the greatest composers of Italian opera.
  • Hugo Wolf

    Hugo Wolf
    Hugo Wolf was an Austrian composer, best known for his beautiful and expressive art songs (Lieder). He wrote over 250 songs, many of which were set to poems by famous poets. Wolf's music is known for its deep emotional intensity and detailed connection between the lyrics and music. He was part of the late Romantic period, and though he faced personal struggles, his work is still celebrated for its originality and the way it explores human emotions.
  • Gustav Mahler

    Gustav Mahler
    Gustav Mahler (1860–1911) was an Austrian composer and conductor known for his emotional and powerful symphonies. He worked in Vienna and created music about life, death, and nature. Though not very famous during his life, he's now considered one of the greatest composers. His symphonies are huge, deep, and full of feeling.
  • Claude Debussy

    Claude Debussy
    Claude Debussy was a French composer, born in 1862. He’s known for changing the way music sounded, creating a new style called Impressionism, which focuses more on mood and atmosphere rather than traditional structure. His most famous piece, Clair de Lune, is a beautiful piano piece that captures the feeling of moonlight. Debussy often used unusual scales and harmonies to create dreamy, fluid music that feels like painting with sound.
  • Sibelius

    Sibelius
    Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer, born in 1865. He’s known for his powerful, sweeping symphonies and music that expresses the beauty and strength of Finland’s nature and history. His most famous piece is Finlandia, which became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. Sibelius often used his music to reflect the spirit of Finland, especially during times of struggle. His works, like his symphonies and Violin Concerto, are filled with deep emotion and drama.
  • Ravel

    Ravel
    Maurice Ravel was a French composer, born in 1875. He’s known for his exquisite craftsmanship and ability to create music with rich textures and colors. His most famous work, Boléro, is a hypnotic piece that repeats the same melody while gradually building in intensity. Ravel was a master of orchestration, and his compositions, like Daphnis et Chloé and Pavane for a Dead Princess, are full of lush harmonies and intricate details.
  • Béla Bartók

    Béla Bartók
    Béla Bartók was a Hungarian composer, born in 1881. He’s known for blending folk music from Hungary and other parts of Eastern Europe with classical music, creating a distinctive, powerful sound. Bartók was also a musicologist, and he spent a lot of time collecting traditional folk songs, which inspired many of his compositions. His most famous works include Concerto for Orchestra and Romanian Folk Dances. Bartók’s music is often intense and rhythmic, with complex harmonies and unusual scales.
  • Heitor Villa-Lobos

    Heitor Villa-Lobos
    Heitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, born in 1887. He’s considered one of the most important figures in Latin American music. Villa-Lobos blended Brazilian folk music with classical traditions, creating a sound that’s uniquely his own. His famous works, like the Bachianas Brasileiras and The Little Train of the Caipira, mix European classical techniques with rhythms and melodies inspired by Brazilian culture.
  • Gershwin

    Gershwin
    George Gershwin was an American composer, born in 1898. He’s famous for blending classical music with jazz, creating a sound that was fresh and exciting. His most famous works include Rhapsody in Blue, a piece that captures the energy of New York City, and Porgy and Bess, an opera that tells the story of African American life. Gershwin had a talent for writing catchy, beautiful melodies and was able to bridge the gap between high art and popular music.
  • The Titanic sink

    The Titanic sink
    The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, during his trip to New York.
  • Stephen Curry

    Stephen Curry
    Stephen Curry is a basketball player, that plays in the NBA Warriors club