The Middle Ages and Renaissance (476-1600)

By trs064
  • 476

    Fall of Rome

    This event marked the start of the Medieval Era.
  • Period: 476 to 1435

    Middle Ages

    Focus on sacred music, faith in the church, and God.
  • Period: 476 to 1430

    Gregorian Chant

    The result of major influence by the churches' belief. Characterized by monophonic lines, limited range, and the 8 church modes. Most works organized by genre; Kyrie and Anonymous, among others.
  • 800

    Polyphony Arises ca. 800

    Emerged during the Romanesque Era a period within Medieval Era.
  • 978

    St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, Italy is Rebuilt

    Considered the center of the Renaissance period.
  • Period: 991 to 1033

    Guido

    "Invented" the staff.
  • Period: 1098 to 1179

    Hildegard von Bingen

    Female composer known for writing liturgical dramas and sacred poetry. Her music was categorized as its own genre due to its wide range, expressiveness, leaps, rhythm, and poetry.
  • Period: 1150 to 1201

    Leonin

    First composer of polyphonic music during the Medieval Era.
  • 1152

    Alleluia, O virga mediatrix

    Composed by Hildegard in her original genre.
  • Period: 1155 to 1207

    Vaqueiras

    Composed Chansons, French songs.
  • 1170

    Magnus liber organi

    Compilation of polyphonic songs by Leonin.
  • 1200

    Gunpowder ca.1200s

  • 1200

    Perotin

    Composer during the Medieval Era.
  • Period: 1200 to 1400

    Medieval Motets ca.1200

    Common genre characterized by more text, 6 rhythmic modes, Latin and French language, and instrumental inclusion.
  • Period: 1291 to 1361

    Philippe de Vitry

    French priest and first composer of the Ars Nova Style.
  • Period: 1300 to 1350

    Ars Nova Style

    A common motet in France known as "new art", adopted by musicians during this period due to its rhythmic polyphony. Also, known as "Trecento" in Italy.
  • Period: 1300 to 1377

    Machaut

    French priest and most famous composer of the Ars Nova.
  • Period: 1325 to 1397

    Landini

    Famous blind composer and the most important Italian composer in the 14th century.
  • 1340

    Bubonic Plague, "Black Death"

    Plague that killed over 75 million people.
  • 1350

    Puis qu'en oubli

    Translates to "Since I am forgotten by Machaut and classifies as a chanson rondeau.
  • Period: 1386 to 1466

    Donatello

    Created the most important sculptures in Italian Renaissance.
  • Period: 1390 to 1453

    Dunstable

    Pioneer in this periods musical style, specifically in Europe. His style was characterized with an "English quality", and 3rd/6ths in his harmonies. However, his works were not published until mid 1900s.
  • Period: 1397 to 1474

    Dufay

    First Renaissance composer.
  • Period: 1420 to 1497

    Ockeghem

    Most famous composer of sacred music, specific to the Franco-Flemish style which dominated Europe during the Renaissance. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-de-Ockeghem
  • 1430

    Invention of Printing Press circa 1430

  • 1430

    Renaissance Genres ca.1430s

    Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei.
  • Period: 1430 to

    Renaissance

    Shifting focus to nature, science based beliefs, and a humanistic approach.
  • Period: 1430 to

    Renaissance Motets

    Characterized by homophony, polyphony, derived motives from chant, and 4 voice parts.
  • Period: 1435 to 1511

    Tinctoris

    Composer and musician who wrote the first dictionary of musical terms. Style is described as contemporary music.
  • Period: 1444 to 1510

    Botticelli

    One of the greatest painters of the Florence Renaissance, known for the Birth of Venus and Primavera.
  • Period: 1452 to 1519

    da Vinci

    Famously known artist for the Mona Lisa.
  • 1475

    Diffinitorum musices

    First dictionary of musical terms.
  • Period: 1475 to 1564

    Michelangelo Buonarroti

    A painter and poet in Italian Renaissance.
  • 1485

    Birth of Venus ca. 1485

  • Period: 1488 to 1576

    Vecellio

    Renowned Italian painter of the Renaissance.
  • Period: 1505 to

    Tallis

    English composer known for writing motets in an extreme amount of voice parts. His largest motet was composed of 80-voice parts.
  • 1514

    Madonna della Tenda

    By Raphael (1483-1520)
  • Period: 1521 to

    Philipp de Monte

    Created the most generous amount of compositions during the Renaissance.
  • Period: 1525 to

    Palestrina

    Most famous composer from the Renaissance period, with polyphonic textures.
  • Period: 1528 to

    Veronese

    Composer whose work was surged and was influenced by the Baroque Era.
  • 1530

    Italian Madrigal

    Aristocratic entertainment in one voice part, distinct in text.
  • Period: 1543 to

    Byrd

    Significant composer in Protestant England.
  • Period: 1557 to

    Gabrieli

    Leading instrumental composer and later became the St. Mark's Cathedral organist.
  • Period: 1564 to

    Shakespeare

    Famous for his plays and poetry. He collaborated with Renaissance musicians which composed songs for his works.
  • Period: 1564 to

    Galilieo

    Famous scientist during the Renaissance.

  • Francis of Assisi, by Caravaggio

    Francis of Assisi, by Caravaggio
    This period highlighted a shift from religion to nature and humanistic focus, which was reflected in this painting.
    https://www.caravaggio.org/saint-francis-of-assisi-in-ecstasy.jsp