Medieval Period

Main article: Medieval music A musician plays the vielle in a 14th century medieval manuscript. ...

Some of the earliest manuscripts with polyphony are organum from 10th century French cities like Chartres and Tours. A group of musicians from the Abbey of St. Martial in Limoges are especially important, as are the 12th century Parisian composers from whence came the earliest motets. Secular music in medieval France was dominated by troubadours, jongleurs and trouveres, who were poets and musicians known for creating forms like the ballade and lai. The most famous was Adam de la Halle. Polyphony is a musical texture consisting of several independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony). ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... Chartres is a city and commune of France, préfecture (capital) of the Eure-et-Loir département. ... Location within France Tours is a city in France, the préfecture (capital city) of the Indre-et-Loire département, on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions. ... A troubadour was a composer and performer of songs in particular styles during the Middle Ages in Europe. ... In its general sense, juggling can refer to all forms of artful or skillful object manipulation. ... Trouvère is the Northern French (langue doïl) version of troubador (langue doc), and refers to poet-composers who were roughly contemporary with and influenced by the troubadors but who composed their works in the northern dialects of France. ... The ballade was a verse form consisting of three (sometimes five) stanzas, each with the same metre, rhyme scheme and last line, with a shorter concluding stanza (an envoi). ... For the city in Chad, see the article Laï. A Lai was a song form composed in northern Europe, mainly France and Germany, from the 13th to the late 14th century. ... Adam de la Halle (also known as Adam le Bossu (Adam the Hunchback); 1250?-1306) was a French-born troubadour, poet and musician, who broke with the long-established tradition of writing liturgical poetry and music to be an early founder of secular theater in France. ...

Notre Dame school

Main article: Notre Dame school The group of composers working at or near the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris from about 1170 to 1250, along with the music they produced, is referred to as the Notre Dame school, or the Notre Dame School of Polyphony. ...

The Notre Dame school was a style of polyphonic organum that flourished at Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral between about 1170 to 1250. The only composers whose names have survived to the present are Léonin and Pérotin. These two are believed to have written the Magnus Liber, a comprehensive book of organum. Polyphony is a musical texture consisting of several independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony). ... This article is about a style of music. ... This article is about the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. ... Events December 29: Assassination of Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury cathedral Eleanor of Aquitaine leaves the court of Henry II because of a string of infidelities. ... Events December 13 - Death of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor Louis IX of France is captured by Muslims and has to ransom himself Mabinogion appears Albertus Magnus isolates the element arsenic Vincent of Beauvais writes proto-encyclopedic The Greater Mirror City of Stockholm founded Alphonso III of Portugal takes Algarve... Léonin (b. ... Pérotin was a European composer, believed to be French, who lived around the end of the twelfth and beginning of the thirteenth century. ... The Magnus Liber or Magnus Liber Organi (Latin for Great Book of Organum) is a compilation of the medieval music known as organum. ...

Motet

Main article: Motet In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions. ...

The motet evolved from the Notre Dame school when upper-register voices were added to discant sections, usually strophic interludes, in a longer sequence of organum. Usually the discant representing a strophic sequence in Latin which was sung as a descant over a cantus firmus, which typically was a Gregorian chant fragment with different words from the descant. The motet took a definite rhythm from the words of the verse, and as such appeared as a brief rhythmic interlude in the middle of the longer, more chantlike organum. Descant or discant can refer to different things in music; A form of medieval music where one person sang a fixed melody, and others accompanied with improvisations. ...

Troubadours

Main article: Troubadour A troubadour was a composer and performer of songs in particular styles during the Middle Ages in Europe. ...

In the 12th century, travelling noblemen and musicians called troubadours began wandering southern France. Inspired by the Code of Chivalry, troubadors composed and performed vernacular songs (in contrast to the older tradition, dating back to the 10th century, of goliards. Provence was the region with the most troubadours, but the practice soon spread north and aristocrats like Adam de la Halle became the first trouvères. Contemporaneous with the troubadors was the rise of the trouvères, another itinerant class of musicians, who used the langue d'oil, while the troubadors used langue d'oc. This period ended abruptly with the Albigensian Crusade, which decimated southern France. (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... A troubadour was a composer and performer of songs in particular styles during the Middle Ages in Europe. ... The vernacular is the native language of a country or locality. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... The Goliards were a group of clergy who wrote bibulous, satirical Latin poetry in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. ... Adam de la Halle (also known as Adam le Bossu (Adam the Hunchback); 1250?-1306) was a French-born troubadour, poet and musician, who broke with the long-established tradition of writing liturgical poetry and music to be an early founder of secular theater in France. ... Trouvère is the Northern French (langue doïl) version of troubador (langue doc), and refers to poet-composers who were roughly contemporary with and influenced by the troubadors but who composed their works in the northern dialects of France. ... The langue doïl language family in linguistics comprises Romance languages originating in territories now occupied by northern France, part of Belgium and the Channel Islands. ... OC redirects here. ... The Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) was a brutal 20-year military campaign initiated by the Roman Catholic Church to eliminate the religion practiced by the Cathars of Languedoc, which the Roman Catholic hierarchy considered heretical. ...

Ars Nova and Ars Subtilior

Main articles: Ars nova and Ars subtilior The ars nova was a stylistic period in music of the Late Middle Ages, centered in France, which encompassed the period from the publication of the Roman de Fauvel (1310 and 1314) until the death of Machaut (1377). ... Ars subtilior (more subtle art) is a musical style characterized by rhythmic and notational complexity, centered around Avignon in southern France, at the end of the fourteenth century (Hoppin 1978, p. ...

Two of the major developments in music in the 14th century occurred on France. The first was the ars nova, the new, predominantly secular music which began with the publication of the Roman de Fauvel, and culminated in the rondeaux, ballades, lais, virelais, motets, and single surviving mass of Guillaume de Machaut, who died in 1370. Philippe de Vitry, also a representative of the ars nova, invented an improved system of musical notation and may have been the first composer of the isorhythmic motet. The other important development was the extremely complex and sophisticated art of secular song which flourished in Avignon at the very end of the 14th century (see ars subtilior). The ars nova was a stylistic period in music of the Late Middle Ages, centered in France, which encompassed the period from the publication of the Roman de Fauvel (1310 and 1314) until the death of Machaut (1377). ... A Rondeau is a form of French poetry with 13 lines written on two rhymes, as well as a corresponding musical form developed to set this characteristic verse structure. ... The ballade was a verse form consisting of three (sometimes five) stanzas, each with the same metre, rhyme scheme and last line, with a shorter concluding stanza (an envoi). ... For the city in Chad, see the article Laï. A Lai was a song form composed in northern Europe, mainly France and Germany, from the 13th to the late 14th century. ... A virelai is a form of medieval French verse used often in poetry and music. ... In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions. ... This article discusses the Mass as a standard form of classical music composition. ... Guillaume de Machaut (around 1300 – 1377), was a French poet and composer of the late Medieval era. ... Philippe de Vitry (October 31, 1291 – June 9, 1361) was a French composer, music theorist and poet. ... In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions. ... Ars subtilior (more subtle art) is a musical style characterized by rhythmic and notational complexity, centered around Avignon in southern France, at the end of the fourteenth century (Hoppin 1978, p. ...

Renaissance

Main article: Renaissance music Renaissance music is classical music written during the Renaissance, approximately 1450 to 1600. ...

The move of the center of musical activity from Paris to Burgundy defines the beginning of the musical Renaissance in France. The political instability under weak kings, and continued dismemberment and acquisition of territory by the English during the Hundred Years War all contributed to moving musicians east. The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Coat of arms of the 2nd duchy of Burgundy and later of the French province of Burgundy Burgundy (French: Bourgogne) is a historic region of France, inhabited in turn by Pre-Indo-European people, Celts (Gauls), Romans (Gallo-Romans), and various Germanic tribes, most importantly the Burgundians and the Franks. ... Renaissance music is classical music written during the Renaissance, approximately 1450 to 1600. ... This article is in need of attention. ...

French musical domination of Europe ended during the Renaissance, and Flemish and Italian musicians became more important. Later French composers of the Renaissance include Nicolas Gombert, Pierre de La Rue, Pierre de Manchicourt, Claude Goudimel, Pierre Certon, Jean Mouton, Claudin de Sermisy, and Clément Janequin. The French chanson became popular during this time, and was exported to Italy as the canzona. Flemish (in Dutch, Vlaams) can either refer to Anything belonging to Flanders (the Flemish nation) or to its inhabitants, the Flemings. ... Nicolas Gombert (c. ... Pierre de La Rue (c. ... Pierre de Manchicourt (c. ... Claude Goudimel was a French composer and music theorist of the Renaissance. ... Pierre Certon (c1510-1520–February 23, 1572) was a French composer of the Renaissance. ... Jean Mouton (c. ... Clément Janequin (c. ... Chanson is a French word for song, and in English-language contexts is often applied to any song with French words, particularly a cabaret song. ... Canzona (also canzone) is a poetic form, and a type of musical composition. ...

Motet

Main article: Motet In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions. ...

The motet was known from the Medieval era, but after about 1463, it evolved into an utterly distinct form. The cascading, passing chords created by the interplay between multiple voices, and the absence of a strong or obvious beat, are the features that distinguish medieval and Renaissance vocal styles. Instead, the Renaissance motet is a short polyphonic musical setting in imitative counterpoint, for chorus, of a religious text not specifically connected to the liturgy of a given day, and therefore suitable for use in any service. The texts of antiphons were frequently used as motet texts. This is the sort of composition that is most familiarly named by the name of "motet," and the Renaissance period marked the flowering of the form. Events January 5 - Poet Francois Villon is banned from Paris Births January 17 - Friedrich III, Saxon elector (d. ...

Chanson

Main article: Chanson Chanson is a French word for song, and in English-language contexts is often applied to any song with French words, particularly a cabaret song. ...

The chanson encompasses a wide array of forms and styles of secular song, through a period of almost three hundred years. The first important composer of chansons was Guillaume de Machaut, with later figures in the genre including Johannes Ockeghem and Josquin Desprez. Guillaume Dufay and Gilles Binchois wrote so-called Burgundian chansons, which were somewhat simpler in style, while Claudin de Sermisy and Clément Janequin were composers of so-called Parisian chansons which abandoned the formes fixes (as Josquin had also done) and were in a simpler, more homophonic style (many of these Parisian works were published by Pierre Attaingnant). Later composers, such as Orlando de Lassus, were influenced by the Italian madrigal. Guillaume de Machaut (around 1300 – 1377), was a French poet and composer of the late Medieval era. ... Ockeghem (with glasses) and his singers Johannes Ockeghem (c. ... Josquin Des Prez Josquin Des Prez (diminutive of Joseph; latinized Josquinus Pratensis) (c. ... Dufay (left), with Gilles Binchois Guillaume Dufay (Du Fay, Du Fayt) (?August 5, ?1397 – November 27, 1474) was a Franco-Flemish composer and music theorist of the early Renaissance. ... Gilles de Binchois or Bins (c. ... Clément Janequin (c. ... Orlande de Lassus, a. ... A madrigal is a setting for 4–6 voices of a secular text, often in Italian. ...

Burgundian School

Main article: Burgundian School The Burgundian School is a term used to denote a group of composers active in the 15th century in what is now eastern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, centered on the court of the Dukes of Burgundy. ...

Composers who worked at the courts of the Dukes of Burgundy are known collectively as the Burgundian School; some of the principal names associated with this school are Guillaume Dufay, Gilles Binchois, Hayne van Ghizeghem and Antoine Busnois. They wrote vernacular secular music in a clear, simple, melodic style, principally rondeaux, but also Latin sacred music, such as motets and cantus firmus masses. The Burgundian School is a term used to denote a group of composers active in the 15th century in what is now eastern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, centered on the court of the Dukes of Burgundy. ... Dufay (left), with Gilles Binchois Guillaume Dufay (Du Fay, Du Fayt) (?August 5, ?1397 – November 27, 1474) was a Franco-Flemish composer and music theorist of the early Renaissance. ... Gilles de Binchois or Bins (c. ... Hayne van Ghizeghem (c. ... Antoine Busnois (also Busnoys) (c. ... A Rondeau is a form of French poetry with 13 lines written on two rhymes, as well as a corresponding musical form developed to set this characteristic verse structure. ... In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions. ... In music, cantus firmus is the basic material to be set using polyphony. ... This article discusses the Mass as a standard form of classical music composition. ...

Baroque era

Main article: Baroque music Baroque music is European classical music written during the Baroque era, approximately 1600 to 1750. ...

With the arrival of Calvinism, music was greatly simplified, at least in the parts of France subject to Calvinist influence. In strictly Calvinist areas, the only musical expression allowed was singing of French translations of the Psalms, for instance those written by Goudimel (who was killed in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572). Starting the with the 17th century, Italian and German opera was the most influential form of music, though French opera composers like Balthasar de Beaujoyeaux, Jean Philippe Rameau and Jean Baptiste Lully made a distinctive national style characterized by ballet, spoken dialogue and a lack of Italian recitative arias. Calvinism is a system of Christian theology advanced by John Calvin, a Protestant Reformer in the 16th century, and further developed by his followers, associates and admirers. ... Psalms (Tehilim תהילים, in Hebrew) is a book of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, and of the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. ... The St. ... Events January 16 - Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk is tried for treason for his part in the Ridolfi plot to restore Catholicism in England. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... The foyer of Charles Garniers Opéra, Paris, opened 1875 Opera is an art form consisting of a dramatic stage performance set to music. ... Jean-Philippe Rameau (September 25, 1683 - September 12, 1764) was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. ... Jean-Baptiste Lully, originally Giovanni Battista Lulli (November 28, 1632–March 22, 1687), was an Italian-born French composer, who spent most of his life working in the court of Louis XIV of France. ... The Waltz of the Snowflakes from Tchaikovskys The Nutcracker Ballet is the name given to a specific dance form and technique. ... This article is about the musical term aria. ...

The Baroque period saw a flourishing of harpsichord music. Influential composers included Jacques Champion de Chambonnières, Louis Couperin, François Couperin. Jean Philippe Rameau, a prominent opera composer, wrote an influential treatise on musical theory, especially in the subject of harmony; he also introduced the clarinet into his orchestras. Adoration, by Peter Paul Rubens: dynamic figures spiral down around a void: draperies blow: a whirl of movement lit in a shaft of light, rendered in a free bravura handling of paint In arts, the Baroque (or baroque) is both a period and the style that dominated it. ... Harpsichord in Flemish style; for more info, click the image. ... Jacques Champion de Chambonnières a. ... Louis Couperin was a French musician of the Baroque period. ... François Couperin (born Paris November 10, 1668 – September 12, 1733 in Paris) was an esteemed French composer in the Baroque style. ... Jean-Philippe Rameau (September 25, 1683 - September 12, 1764) was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. ... Harmony is the use and study of pitch simultaneity and chords, actual or implied, in music. ... A bass clarinet, which sounds an octave lower than the more common Bâ™­ soprano clarinet. ...

Air de cour

Main article: Air de cour The Air de cour was a popular type of secular vocal music in France in the very late Renaissance and early Baroque period, from about 1570 until around 1650. ...

In the late Renaissance and early Baroque period, approximately from 1570 to 1650 and peaking from 1610 and 1635, a type of popular secular vocal music called air de cour spread throughout France. Though airs de cour originally used only one voice with lute accompaniment, they grew to incorporate four to five voices by the end of the 16th century. Halfway through the 17th century, they switched back again to a single voice. Events January 23 - The assassination of regent James Stewart, Earl of Moray throws Scotland into civil war February 25 - Pope Pius V excommunicates Queen Elizabeth I of England with the bull Regnans in Excelsis May 20 - Abraham Ortelius issues the first modern atlas. ... // Events June 23 - Claimant King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland arrives in Scotland, the only of the three Kingdoms that has accepted him as ruler. ... // Events January 7 - Galileo Galilei discovers the Galilean moons of Jupiter. ... Events February 10 - The Académie française in Paris is expanded to become a national academy for the artistic elite. ... The lute is a plucked string instrument with a fretted neck and a deep round back. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ...