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Period: 400 to 1400
Medieval Period
The medieval period saw the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the West, as well as the influence of Greek musical ideas on medieval church music and music theory transferred to the West by Boethius. During this time, the new religion of Christianity expanded, and many of Western civilization's concepts and institutions were established. -
1026
Guido of Arezzo’s Micrologus
This is a treatise on music theory written by Guido of Arezzo. It focuses on Gregorian chant and early polyphony. It was a widely influential work in the Middle Ages, known for its contributions to musical notation and the development of polyphony. -
Period: 1098 to 1179
Hildegard of Bingen
Hildegard of Bingen was the most widely recorded and well-known composer of religious monophony. She was also well-known for her prophesies, having communications with emperors, kings, popes, and bishops and preached throughout Germany. -
1320
Ars Nova Treatise
Philippe de Virtry wrote this treatise, which featured artistic and technological innovations centered on rhythm and notation. This new form raised the question of whether a duple, or "imperfect," division of note values should be allowed alongside the traditional triple, or "perfect," division. Nonetheless, it remained a popular French compositional style. -
Period: 1400 to
Renaissance Period
Following the medieval period, European culture, literature, art, and music saw significant changes. This shift restored knowledge of Ancient Greece and Rome's ideals, and values. This transformation brought with it new technologies, new methods to read and understand the Bible, literature in vernacular languages, and realism and perspective in painting. -
1529
Martin Luther Chorale, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)
Martin Luther composed this chorale, which became the Reformation's anthem. These chorales were sung to commemorate the regular cycle of religious holidays by singing simple, metrical rhythms with rhyming verses. -
1538
Arcadelt Madrigal, Il bianco e dolce cigno
Jacques Arcadelt produced this madrigal, which is among the most well-known of the early madrigals. In this madrigal, he compares the swan's literal death to his own figurative death. It also contrasts a sweet, homophonic texture that conveys joy with the phrase "a thousand deaths a day" and its sexual overtones, which appear repeatedly. -
1567
Palestrina, Pope Marcellus Mass
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina wrote this mass, which is supposed to have spared polyphony from being condemned by the Council of Trent. This six-voice mass was featured in Palestrina's Second Book of Masses. -
Victoria, Missa O magnum mysterium
Tomás Luis de Victoria produced this mass as an imitation of his motet, O magnum mysterium. He used rising and falling fifths repeatedly throughout the piece to portray the magnitude, wonder, and mystery of Christ's birth.