History of Medieval Era of Music

History of Music

History of Renaissance Era of Music

History of Baroque Era of Music

History of the Classical Period of Music

History of the Romantic Era of Music

The middle ages

a plucked string instrument which was precursor of the harpsichord

a small ancestor of the European lute, possibly developed in 9thC

became popular in England at end of 14thC

ancestor of the mandolin

whilst the 'long lute' dates back to at least 2000BC & the 'short lute' from 800BC, it was transformed into the European lute with distinct neck & central soundhole, probably in Spain in 14thC

metrical Latin song, sacred or secular, usually for 2 or 3 voices, originating in France in 12thC

superseded by motet in 13thC (see Renaissance)

13th & 14thC French song form consisting of 12 unequal stanzas sung to different tunes

medieval western European music style based on plainsong & organum, employed by composers (esp. Leonin, Perotin) of the Notre Dame or Parisian schools in 12th & 13thC.

14thC French & Italian new style of music with restrictions of ars antiqua replaced by greater variety of rhythm, duple instead of triple time, and increased independence in part-writing.

developed into the madrigal in Renaissance times

French composer, cleric, poet & diplomat

outstanding practitioner of ars nova & among 1st to compose polyphonic setting of petry in fixed forms (ballade, rondeau & virelai)

among the last to compose in the medieval forms of lai & dit