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500
Medieval Period
The Medieval era in Western music began around 500 CE and lasted until approximately 1400. It includes Gregorian chant, early polyphony, and the development of musical notation. -
1025
Guido of Arezzo's Micrologus
Guido of Arezzo, an Italian Benedictine monk, wrote Micrologus, a treatise that introduced the four-line staff and solmization (the precursor to solfege). This greatly improved music literacy. -
1098
Hildegard of Bingen Born
From 1098-1179, Hildegard was a German abbess, composer, and mystic. One of the earliest known female composers, her works include chants and liturgical music notable for their originality and expressiveness. -
1320
Ars Nova Treatise
Written by Philippe de Vitry, Ars Nova introduced innovations in rhythm and notation that allowed for greater rhythmic complexity, marking a shift in musical style in 14th-century France. -
1400
Renaissance Period
From 1400-1600 CE, The Renaissance was a period of rebirth in arts and culture. In music, it featured smoother polyphony, a focus on text expression, and the rise of secular genres like the madrigal. -
1529
Luther: Ein feste Burg
Martin Luther's famous chorale “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” became an anthem of the Reformation, written to be sung by congregations in the vernacular. -
1538
Arcadelt: Il bianco e dolce cigno
This madrigal by Jacques Arcadelt is one of the most famous early Italian madrigals. It blends expressive text-setting with elegant polyphony and helped popularize the genre. -
1567
Palestrina: Pope Marcellus Mass
Published by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, this Mass is traditionally credited with preserving polyphony in the Catholic Church by demonstrating its clarity and spiritual power during the Council of Trent. -
Victoria: Missa O magnum mysterium
A Mass setting by Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria, based on his earlier motet. It's a brilliant example of late Renaissance sacred music marked by expressive intensity.