-
476
The Fall of Rome
Start of the Medieval Era, slow changes in life, culture, and dissemination of knowledge -
Period: 476 to 1435
The Middle Ages
-
Period: 850 to 1150
Romanesque era
Polyphony and notation began to emerge during this time. -
900
Organum
First described c. 900 CE. Plainchant “melody” with an added melody. -
Period: 991 to 1033
Guido d'Arezzo
Credited with "inventing" the music staff. -
Period: 1098 to 1179
Hildegard von Bingen
Founder and abbess of the convent at Rupertsberg, Germany.
Famous for her prophetic powers and revelations -
Period: 1150 to 1450
Gothic period
A style of medieval art that developed in Northern France out of Romanesque art in the 12th century. -
Period: 1150 to 1201
Leonin
First composer of polyphonic music whose name we know. Identified with the School of Notre Dame. -
1152
Ordo virtutum
"Play of Virtues". Play by Hildegard von Bingen. -
Period: 1155 to 1207
Raimbaut de Vaqueiras
From southern France, served at the court in Montferrat. Killed in battle serving his patron (1207). Wrote at least 35 poems; 7 survive with music. -
1170
Magnus liber organi
Compiled by Leonin. -
1200
Perotin
Exact dates unknown, fl. c. 1200 CE. May have studied with Leonin. -
Period: 1291 to 1361
Philippe de Vitry
First composer of the Ars nova, wrote Ars nova notandi. -
Period: 1300 to 1350
Ars Nova
Composers and theorists began to speak about this “new art”. New rhythmic polyphony in the motets -
Period: 1300 to 1377
Guillaume de Machaut
French priest, most famous composer and poet of the time. -
1322
Ars nova notandi
The New Art of Notes, treatise written about the Ars nova in the first half of the 14th century. By Philippe de Vitry -
Period: 1325 to 1397
Francesco Landini
Music theorist, composer, poet, and organist: famous because he was blind. By far the most famous Italian composer of the 14th century -
1340
The Bubonic plague
AKA "The Black Death," killed over 75 million people. -
1350
Puis qu'en oubli
Since I am forgotten, chanson rondeau composed by Machaut. -
Period: 1390 to 1453
John Dunstable
English, but influenced musical style in Europe. Composers who heard his music were impressed by the “English quality” (la contenance angloise) -
Period: 1397 to 1474
Guillaume Dufay
First Renaissance composer -
Period: 1420 to 1497
Johannes Ockeghem
Very respected and prolific; also a low bass -
Period: 1430 to
Renaissance
New complex currents of thought concerning arts, science and religion. Changes in art originated in Italy, but musical style came out of England -
Period: 1435 to 1511
Johannes Tinctoris
Composer and music theorist: wrote about contemporary music. -
1439
Printing press
Invented by Johann Gutenberg -
Period: 1450 to 1521
Josquin des Prez
Most revered Renaissance composer -
Period: 1452 to 1519
Leonardo da Vinci
Famous artist during the Renaissance, painted the Mona Lisa. -
Period: 1466 to 1536
Erasmus
Dutch scholar-philosopher -
1475
Diffinitorum musices
The first dictionary of musical terms, written by Johannes Tinctoris. -
Period: 1483 to 1546
Martin Luther
German religious reformer -
Period: 1490 to 1562
Adrian Willaert
Father of text expression -
Period: 1505 to
Thomas Tallis
English composer who wrote a 40-voice part motet -
1517
The Reformation
Protestant movement began by Martin Luther -
1524
Start of the European religious wars
Caused by Protestant reformation in western and northern Europe. -
Period: 1525 to
Palestrina
The most famous composer from the Renaissance -
Period: 1540 to
William Byrd
Greatest English composer of his time. -
Period: 1548 to
Tomas Luis de Victoria
The greatest Spanish composer in the Renaissance -
Period: 1564 to
Shakespeare
He lived into the early Baroque – many Renaissance-style songs were composed for and used in his plays. -
Period: 1564 to
Galileo
Famous scientist -
Period: 1567 to
Claudio Monteverdi
Moved music from the Renaissance style to the Baroque.