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The epitaph is a poetic and musical message in which Seikilos dedicates the piece to a loved one. The text tells the reader to enjoy life while it lasts, reminding us that time is short. Its tone is calm and reflective, expressing a classical Greco-Roman style.
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Gregorian chant is a monophonic, without instruments form of sacred music used in the medieval Roman Catholic liturgy, characterized by free-flowing rhythm, Latin texts, and modal melodies; it developed mainly between the 9th and 10th centuries and, though traditionally associated with Pope Gregory I. -
Guido d’Arezzo was an Italian monk and music theorist who invented the four-line staff and the solmization system, greatly improving the teaching and notation of medieval music. -
Hildegard von Bingen was a German abbess, composer, and mystic, known for her monophonic sacred music and visionary writings, making her one of the most important medieval composers. -
Bernart de Ventadorn was a French troubadour from the Occitan region, celebrated for his courtly love songs (cansos). He is one of the most famous and influential troubadours, known for his expressive melodies, refined poetic style, and contributions to the development of secular lyric music in medieval Europe. -
Ars antiqua is a period of medieval music from the late 12th to late 13th century, marked by the rise of early polyphony—especially organum and motets—developed largely at Frenh school in Paris, with composers like Léonin and Pérotin; it introduced rhythmic modes and set the foundation for later medieval music. -
Léonin was a French composer of the Notre Dame school, known for creating early two-part polyphonic organum and compiling the Magnus Liber Organi, laying the foundation for later polyphony developed by Pérotin. -
Pérotin was a French composer of the Notre Dame school during the ars antiqua period, known for developing polyphonic organum with three or four voices, including works like Viderunt omnes, and laying the foundation for later Western polyphony. -
Alfonso X “el Sabio” was King of Castile and León, known for his scholarship and patronage of the arts, especially for compiling the Cantigas de Santa María, a major collection of medieval songs. -
Ars nova is a period of medieval music that flourished in 14th-century Europe, especially in France. It introduced major innovations in rhythm and notation, allowing composers to use more flexible, complex rhythms (including duple and triple meters) that were not possible before -
Guillaume de Machaut was a French composer and poet of the ars nova period, known for his polyphonic music and secular and sacred works. He is famous for motets, chansons, and the Messe de Nostre Dame, one of the earliest complete settings of the Mass by a single composer, which had a lasting influence on Western music. -
Francesco Landini was an Italian composer, organist, and poet of the Trecento (14th century). He is best known for his secular songs in the ballata form, characterized by lyrical melodies and expressive harmonies. Despite being blind, Landini became one of the most celebrated musicians of his time, influencing Italian music for generations. -
Johannes Gutenberg was a German inventor and printer best known for creating the movable-type printing press in Europe. His invention made books faster and cheaper to produce, helping spread knowledge, literacy, and ideas throughout the Renaissance and beyond. His most famous work is the Gutenberg Bible, one of the earliest major books printed with movable type. -
Juan del Encina was a Spanish composer, poet, and playwright of the early Renaissance. -
Cristóbal de Morales was a major Spanish Renaissance composer known for his influential and expressive sacred polyphony. -
Martin Luther was a German theologian who launched the Protestant Reformation by criticizing Catholic Church practices, most famously through his 95 Theses in 1517. He also translated the Bible into German and promoted congregational singing, influencing both religion and music in Europe.
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Antonio de Cabezón was a Spanish Renaissance composer and master keyboardist whose organ and harpsichord works greatly influenced later European music. -
Andrea Gabrieli was an Italian Renaissance composer of the Venetian School, known for his grand vocal and instrumental music at St. Mark’s Basilica. -
Maddalena Casulana was an Italian Renaissance composer, singer, and lutenist. She is celebrated as the first woman in Western music history to have an entire book of her compositions printed and published, a landmark achieved with her First Book of Madrigals (1568). Her madrigals are known for their expressive text setting and skilled counterpoint, marking her as a significant figure in 16th-century music. -
Orlando di Lasso (also Roland de Lassus was a Franco-Flemish Renaissance composer and one of the most versatile and prolific musicians of his time. He wrote in many styles—Masses, motets, madrigals, chansons, and secular songs—and worked across Europe, ultimately serving as chapel master in Munich
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Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was an Italian Renaissance composer, famous for his smooth, balanced polyphonic sacred music. Often seen as the model of Catholic church music, his style emphasized clarity of text and elegant counterpoint. His Masses and motets—especially the Missa Papae Marcelli—became influential examples of ideal Renaissance choral writing.
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Carlo Gesualdo was an Italian late-Renaissance composer and nobleman known for his highly experimental madrigals filled with intense chromaticism and abrupt harmonic shifts. -
Tomás Luis de Victoria was a Spanish Renaissance composer and priest, known for his deeply expressive sacred music. A master of polyphony, he wrote Masses, motets, and hymns with an intensely spiritual, emotional style, and is considered one of the greatest composers of the late Renaissance. -
Giovanni Gbrelli was a major late-Renaissance Italian composer and organist at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. He is best known for his innovative sacred music, his use of multiple choirs placed around the church for dramatic effect, and his early contributions to instrumental ensemble writing, making him one of the most influential figures of the Venetian School. -
Claudio Monteverdi was an Italian composer who bridged the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
He pioneered early opera with works like L’Orfeo
His innovations in harmony and expression transformed Western music. -
Giacomo Carissimi was an Italian Baroque composer celebrated for his vocal music. He helped develop the early oratorio with works like Jephte. His expressive style influenced later Baroque composers across Europe. -
Barbara Strozzi was a Venetian Baroque composer and singer. She published more vocal music than any other woman of her time. Her expressive cantatas and arias are key contributions to early Baroque vocal music. -
Henry Purcell was an English Baroque composer known for his theatrical and sacred music
He wrote works like Dido and Aeneas and many anthems for the Chapel Royal
His style shaped English music with expressive melodies and rich harmonies -
Antonio Stradivari was an Italian luthier famed for crafting exceptional violins. His Stradivarius instruments are prized for their unmatched sound quality. He influenced string instrument making for centuries with his precision and artistry. -
Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer and virtuoso violinist. He is famous for The Four Seasons a set of violin concertos portraying scenes of nature
He influenced Baroque music with hundreds of concertos operas and sacred works. -
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German Baroque composer and organist. He wrote masterpieces such as the Brandenburg Concertos and the Well Tempered Clavier
His music defined Baroque style through complex counterpoint and deep expression -
Georg Friedrich Händel was a German Baroque composer known for his operas oratorios and instrumental music. He became famous for Messiah especially the Hallelujah chorus. His prolific work influenced music across Europe and helped shape the Baroque style. -
Georg Philipp Telemann was a German Baroque composer and one of the most prolific in history
He wrote orchestral suites concertos operas and sacred music that were admired across Europe
His versatile style blended French Italian and German influences shaping late Baroque music