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Period: 500 to 1450
Medieval Period
The Medieval Period is considered the longest music period. It spans from the fall of the Holy Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance.
The Gregorian Chant was created during this time. The Gregorian Chant was monophonic in texture. -
Period: 991 to 1033
Guido of Arezzo formulation of Solmization System
Guido of Arezzo suggested syllables should be connected with notes in order to help sight singing. These syllables were ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la. The Guidonian hand was created to help singers better memorize and learn the Solmization System. -
1098
Hildegard of Bingen was born.
Hildegard famously wrote many prose and songs. A popular work is her musical drama "Ordo virtutum", which was a morality play. -
1179
Hildegard of Bingen Died
In her life she became a prioress and abbess of her own convent, and is regarded highly as a great composer in the Medieval period. -
1317
Ars Nova Treatise
The Ars Nova Treatise was written as a warning to the king of France. It was a narrative poem satirizing the political corruption. Philippe de Vitry is associated with writing this. It is important because it start a new type of music that started to break away from what was done in the past. -
Period: 1450 to
Renaissance Period
The Renaissance was a great leap for music. Richer textures and more chromatics were becoming more common. Church choirs became fuller, and it was an overall coming back to the old classical art and philosophy. -
1529
Luther's Ein feste burg
Ein feste Burg (A mighty fortress) was the anthem for the reformation. It is considered Martin Luther's best work. -
1538
Arcadelt's bianco e dolce cigno
This madrigal is written with a text that alludes to a sexual climax. Usually this is preformed by four men. -
1567
Palestrina's Pope Marcellus
This work is one of Palestrina's best and has become a present model for counterpoint. It is considered that this save polyphony from condiment by the council of Trent. -
Victoria Missa O magnum mysterium
This was a parody mass. This inmates the motet O magnum mysterium. -
Gabrieli's Sacrae Symphoniae
The Sacrae Symphoniae is a motet for two groups of instruments for church use. They were written at Saint Mark's Venice. -
Period: to
Baroque Period
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Monteverdi's L'Orfeo
It is one of the most important early operas that is still performed today. It set a lot of the groundwork for operas later on. -
First public concert in London
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JS Bach is Born
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Antonio Vivaldi's L’Estro Armonico
This is a set of 12 concertos written for violins. It was dedicated to Ferdinando de'Medici. It's importance lies in its influence to the concertos that followed, while also being one of Vivaldi's most important works all together. This work inspired some of Bach's works like the Brandenburg concertos. -
Rameau's Traité de l’harmonie
Rameau's treaty was a fundamental guide to different topics in music theory. This treaty rose him to popularity and fame within the musical world. The importance of Rameau's theory is that harmony is based on the "root" of the chord. -
Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier volume 1
In Bach's own words, “for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study.” The well tempered clavier was widely distributed throughout Europe. It is a collection of preludes and fugues in all 24 keys. -
Joseph Haydn is Born
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Handel's Messiah
The Messiah goes through the life of Jesus and it is written in the style of a oratorios. -
Period: to
Viennese Classical Period
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Js Bach Died
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is Born
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Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges as director of Concerts des Amateurs
The Concerts des Amateurs was a company to set up and organize concerts in France. Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges being the director was important because of his color. He was known as "Le Mozart noir," and was highly recognized. He was the director from 1773-1781) -
Mozart's Don Giovanni
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Haydn's Symphony No. 94 "Surprise"
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Died
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Joseph Haydn Died