Timeline One: Medieval/Renaissance (476 CE - 1600)

  • Period: 476 BCE to 1430

    Medieval

  • Period: 991 to 1003

    Guido of Arezzo

    Music theorist. Known for the Guidonian Hand concept of pitch and sight singing.
  • Period: 1098 to 1179

    H. von Bingen

    Famous for prophetic power, wrote liturgical dramas and religious poetry. One of the most famous women of all time.
  • Period: 1135 to 1201

    Leonin

    Known for several collections of organum.
  • Period: 1180 to 1238

    Perotin

    Known for discant organum.
  • 1190

    Compass

    Around this time was the first recorded use of the compass in Europe. Voyages which led to new discoveries were now possible.
  • 1200

    Gunpowder

    The introduction of gunpowder signaled the end of the age of knighthood.
  • Period: 1291 to 1361

    P. de Vitry

    A French priest credited as the first composer of the Ars Nova.
  • Period: 1300 to 1350

    Ars Nova

    Ars Nova means new art. New rhythmic polyphony in the motets. This style did not last. Only found in France, surrounding rhythmic polyphony.
  • Period: 1300 to 1377

    P. de Machaut

    Most famous composer and poet of the time. had more than 20 extant motets. One of the first polyphonic mass cycles.
  • Period: 1325 to 1397

    F. Landini

    Music theorist, poet, composer, and organist. Commonly famous because he was blind. The most famous Italian composer of the 14th century.
  • 1340

    Bubonic Plague

    Also known as "The Black Death." Killed over 75 million people throughout the 1340's.
  • Period: 1390 to 1453

    J. Dunstable

    English, but influenced musical style in Europe. Utilized 3rds and 6ths in music.
  • Period: 1397 to 1474

    G. Dufay

    Credited as the first Renaissance composer.
  • Period: 1420 to 1497

    J. Ockeghem

    Low bass that was very respected and prolific.
  • Period: 1430 to

    Renaissance

    Renaissance means rebirth. Used new complex thoughts of art, science, and religion.
  • Period: 1435 to 1511

    J. Tinctoris

    Composer and music theorist who wrote about contemporary music. Wrote the first dictionary of musical terms: Diffinitorum musices.
  • Period: 1450 to 1521

    J. des Prez

    Most revered Renaissance composer. Well respected by Martin Luther. many people tried to pass off his music as their own. Often known for his chansons.
  • Period: 1450 to 1517

    H. Isaac

    Prolific, notable German composer.
  • Period: 1452 to 1519

    Leonardo da Vinci

    One of the most notably recognized artists during the Renaissance.
  • Period: 1488 to 1539

    O. Petrucci

    One of the most important early music publishers. Published 11 volumes of frottola between 1504-1511
  • Period: 1490 to 1562

    A. Willaert

    Father of text expression. Important Renaissance composer.
  • Period: 1505 to

    T. Tallis

    Noted important English Renaissance composer.
  • Period: 1521 to

    P. de Monte

    Known as the most prolific composer of the Renaissance.
  • Period: 1521 to

    P. de Monte

    Composed 1073 Italian Madrigals.
  • Period: 1525 to

    G. Pierluigi da Palestrina

    Composer awarded the most posthumous fame. The most famous composer from the Renaissance.
  • 1530

    Italian Madrigal

    Italian Madrigal originated in Florence as a form of aristocratic entertainment.
  • Period: 1532 to

    O. di Lasso

    Important composer as notable as Josquin and Palestrina.
  • Period: 1543 to

    W. Byrd

    Important Catholic English composer working in Protestant England.
  • Period: 1548 to

    T. Luis de Victoria

    Carries on Palestrina's style while working in Spain.
  • Period: 1564 to

    Shakespeare

    Lived into the early Baroque. Many Renaissance style songs were composed for and used in his plays.
  • 1567

    Pope Marcellus Mass

    Supposedly written to satisfy the Council of Trent. Written by Palestrina.
  • Period: 1567 to

    C. Monteverdi

    Part of the transition from Renaissance to Baroque.
  • Period: 1577 to

    G. Gabrieli

    Leading composer of instrumental ensemble music and polychoral works in the late Renaissance.
  • Canzona Semptimi Toni

    From Gabrieli's collection call Sacred Symphonies.