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100 BCE
Epitafio de seikilos
The Epitaph of Sicylum is the oldest complete musical composition currently preserved. Although the Hurrian Songs of Ancient Mesopotamia are older, they are fragments and not complete compositions. -
680
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. -
991
Guido d'Arezzo
Guido d'Arezzo was an Italian Benedictine monk and music theorist from around 991 to 1050. He is best known for his innovative music notation system using lines and spaces, which evolved into modern staff notation. He also introduced solmization, using syllables like "ut, re, mi" to teach pitches. His influential work, "Micrologus," provided practical guidance on music theory and practice, significantly improving music education and leaving a lasting impact on Western music. -
1135
Birth of Leonin
Léonin (also Leoninus, Leonius, Leo; (1135s–1201) was the first known significant composer of polyphonic organum. He was probably French, probably lived and worked in Paris at the Notre-Dame Cathedral and was the earliest member of the Notre Dame school of polyphony and the ars antiqua style who is known by name. The name Léonin is derived from "Leoninus", which is the Latin diminutive of the name Leo; therefore it is likely that Léonin's given French name was Léo. -
1135
Bernart de Ventadorn
Bernart de Ventadorn was a prominent 12th-century troubadour from the Limousin region in France. His poetry and music greatly influenced the development of the troubadour tradition. Known for his lyrics about courtly love, Bernart composed some of the finest works in the Occitan language. His patron was Eleanor of Aquitaine. His legacy endures through the preservation of many of his songs and poems. -
1158
Birth of perotin
Pérotin (fl. c. 1200) was a composer associated with the Notre Dame school of polyphony in Paris and the broader ars antiqua musical style of medieval high music. He is credited with developing the polyphonic practices of his predecessor Léonin, with the introduction of three- and four-part harmonies. -
1200
Ars antiqua
Ars antiqua, also called Ars veterum or Ars vetus, refers to the music of Europe of the late Middle Ages approximately between 1170 and 1310, covering the period of the Notre Dame School of polyphony and the years after. It includes the 12th and 13th centuries. This is followed by other periods in the history of medieval music called ars nova and ars subtilior. -
1221
Alfonso X
Alfonso X the Wise (1221-1284) was King of Castile and León from 1252 to 1284. Renowned for his contributions to law, science, and literature, he promoted the use of Spanish in administration and literature. His most notable work is the "Siete Partidas," a legal code. He also authored the "Cantigas de Santa María," a collection of more than 400 compositions dedicated to the Virgin Mary. His legacy significantly influenced the development of law and the Spanish language. -
1300
Guillaume de Machaut
Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300 – 1377) was a prominent French composer and poet of the 14th century. He is considered the leading figure of the Ars Nova musical style. Machaut composed the earliest known complete setting of the Ordinary of the Mass by a single composer, "Messe de Nostre Dame." His poetry and music, such as the rondeaux "Ma fin est mon commencement" and "Rose, liz, printemps, verdure," greatly influenced European art of the time. -
1318
Ars nova
Ars nova (from the Latin "new art") is an expression due to the theorist Philippe de Vitry that designates musical production, both French and Italian, after the last works of the ars antiqua until the predominance of the Burgundian school, which will occupy the first place in the musical panorama of the West in the 15th century -
1325
Francesco landini
Francesco Landini (c. 1325 - September 2, 1397)** was a prominent Italian composer, organist, and poet of the 14th century. A key figure in the Trecento style, he composed numerous ballate and madrigals. Despite being blinded by smallpox in childhood, he became a virtuoso on the organetto. -
Period: 1350 to
Renaissance
The Renaissance (c. 14th to 17th century) marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity in Europe. Characterized by a revival of classical learning, it brought significant advancements in art, literature, science, and philosophy. Key figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael epitomized the "Renaissance man." -
1393
Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1393 – February 3, 1468) was a German inventor and craftsman, famous for inventing the movable-type printing press around 1440. This groundbreaking invention allowed for the mass production of books, significantly contributing to the spread of knowledge and the Renaissance. His most notable work, the Gutenberg Bible, was the first major book printed with this technology. -
1468
Juan del Encina.
Juan del Encina (1468 – 1529) was a Spanish poet, musician, and playwright during the Renaissance. Born in Fermoselle, he studied at the University of Salamanca and later served in the court of the Duke of Alba. He is known for his "Églogas", pastoral plays that blend poetry and music, and for his contributions to the development of Spanish drama and music. -
1483
Martín Lutero
Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German theologian and monk who initiated the Protestant Reformation in the early 16th century. His 95 Theses, posted in 1517, challenged the Catholic Church's practices, especially the sale of indulgences. Luther's teachings emphasized salvation by faith alone and the authority of the Bible, leading to significant religious and cultural changes in Europe. -
1500
Cristóbal de Morales
Cristóbal de Morales (c. 1500 – 1553) was a Spanish composer of sacred polyphonic music during the Renaissance. Born in Seville, he served as maestro de capilla in Ávila, Plasencia, Toledo, and Málaga. His works, including masses, motets, and lamentations, are celebrated for their simplicity, emotional expression, and religious mysticism. Morales' music gained wide recognition in Europe and the Americas. -
1510
Antonio de Cabezón
Antonio de Cabezón (March 30, 1510 – March 26, 1566) was a Spanish composer and organist of the Renaissance. Born in Castrillo Matajudíos, Burgos, he became blind as a child but did not let this hinder his musical career. He served as organist to the Spanish royal family, including Emperor Charles I and later King Philip II. Cabezón is known for his keyboard music, which includes masses, hymns, and instrumental pieces. -
1525
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (February 3, 1525 – February 2, 1594) was an Italian Renaissance composer of sacred music and a prominent figure in the Roman School of composition. His work is known for its clarity, balance, and smooth polyphonic style, which became a model for future church music. -
1532
Orlando di Lasso
Orlando di Lasso (c. 1532 – June 14, 1594) was a prominent composer of the late Renaissance, known for his prolific output and mastery of polyphonic style. He was a leading figure in the Franco-Flemish school and worked in various European courts, including those of Italy, France, and Bavaria. His works include masses, motets, madrigals, and chansons, and he is celebrated for his expressive and diverse musical language. -
1532
Andrea Gabrieli
Andrea Gabrieli (c. 1532/1533 – August 30, 1585) was an Italian composer and organist of the late Renaissance. He was the uncle of the more famous Giovanni Gabrieli and was the first internationally renowned member of the Venetian School of composers. He played a significant role in spreading the Venetian style in Italy and Germany. -
1544
Maddalena Casulana
Maddalena Casulana (c. 1544 – c. 1590) was an Italian composer, singer, and lute player of the late Renaissance. She is recognized as the first woman to have an entire volume of her music printed and published in Western music history. Her works include madrigals and other vocal music, and she was known for her expressive and skillful compositions. -
1548
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Tomás Luis de Victoria (c. 1548 – August 27, 1611) was a Spanish composer and organist of the Renaissance. Born in Ávila, he became a prominent figure in the Roman School of music. Victoria's works, including masses, motets, and hymns, are celebrated for their emotional depth and polyphonic complexity. He served as a chapel master in Rome and later returned to Spain, where he became a chaplain to the Empress Maria. -
1557
Giovanni Gabrieli
Giovanni Gabrieli (c. 1557 – October 12, 1612) was an Italian composer and organist, born and died in Venice. He was one of the most influential musicians of his time and represented the culmination of the Venetian School, marking the transition from Renaissance to Baroque music. Gabrieli's works, including his famous "Sacrae Symphoniae," are known for their grandeur and use of spatially separated choirs and instruments to create a rich, immersive sound experience. -
1566
Carlo Gesualdo
arlo Gesualdo (March 8, 1566 – September 8, 1613) was an Italian composer and prince of Venosa, renowned for his intensely expressive polyphonic music and his tumultuous life. His most notable works include madrigals and sacred music, characterized by advanced chromaticism. In 1590, he infamously murdered his wife and her lover, an event that profoundly marked his life and reputation. -
May 15, 1567
Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Monteverdi (May 15, 1567 – November 29, 1643) was an Italian composer, singer, and priest who played a crucial role in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque era in music. Born in Cremona, he studied under Marc'Antonio Ingegneri and later worked in the courts of Mantua and Venice. Monteverdi is best known for his operas, including "L'Orfeo" and "L'incoronazione di Poppea", as well as his sacred music, such as the 1610 Vespers. -
Period: to
The Baroque period
The Baroque period (c. 1600-1750) followed the Renaissance and was marked by its elaborate art and architecture, as well as dramatic, expressive music. Baroque art is characterized by its grandeur, movement, and vivid detail, often conveying a sense of awe. Artists like Caravaggio and Rembrandt and composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel are central figures of this era. -
Giacomo Carissimi
Giacomo Carissimi (April 18, 1605 – January 12, 1674) was an Italian composer and music teacher, one of the most celebrated masters of the early Baroque or Roman School of music. He is known for his development of the Latin oratorio and was a prolific composer of masses, motets, and cantatas. His works were highly influential in northern European countries through his pupils, such as Charpentier in France and Kerll in Germany. -
Barbara Strozzi
Barbara Strozzi (August 6, 1619 – November 11, 1677) was an Italian composer and singer of the Baroque period. She is recognized as one of the few women of her time to publish her own music, with eight volumes of her compositions released during her lifetime. Strozzi's works include arias, cantatas, and secular vocal music, and she is celebrated for her expressive and emotional style. -
Stradivarius
Antonio Stradivari (1644 – 1737) was an Italian luthier and craftsman renowned for creating some of the finest string instruments in history, including violins, cellos, and guitars. His instruments, often referred to as Stradivarius, are highly prized for their exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship. Stradivari's violins, in particular, are considered the pinnacle of violin-making and are sought after by musicians and collectors alike. -
Henry Purcel
Henry Purcell (c. September 10, 1659 – November 21, 1695) was an English composer of the Baroque period. He is widely regarded as one of England's greatest composers and is known for his diverse output, which includes over 100 songs, instrumental music, and music for stage and church. His most famous works include the opera "Dido and Aeneas" and the semi-opera "The Fairy Queen". -
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi (March 4, 1678 – July 28, 1741) was an Italian composer, violinist, and priest known for his significant contributions to Baroque music. He was nicknamed "Il Prete Rosso" (The Red Priest) due to his red hair and his status as a Catholic priest. Vivaldi composed over 500 concertos, including his famous set of violin concertos, "The Four Seasons". His music is celebrated for its energetic rhythms, bright melodies, and innovative use of the violin. -
Georg Philipp Telemann
Georg Philipp Telemann (March 24, 1681 – June 25, 1767) was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. He is considered one of the most prolific composers in history, with an extensive body of work that includes operas, cantatas, oratorios, and instrumental music. Telemann was largely self-taught in music and held important positions in various European cities, including Leipzig, Sorau, Eisenach, Frankfurt, and Hamburg. -
Georg Friedrich Händel
Georg Friedrich Händel (February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759) was a German-born composer who later became a British citizen. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, known for his operas, oratorios, and concertos. Some of his most famous works include "Messiah," "Water Music," and "Music for the Royal Fireworks." Händel's music is celebrated for its emotional depth and technical mastery. -
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (March 21, 1685 – July 28, 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in Western music history. Bach's compositions include the "Brandenburg Concertos," the "Goldberg Variations," the "Mass in B minor," and "The Well-Tempered Clavier." His music is celebrated for its intricate counterpoint and harmonic innovation.