The beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)

 

Dufay or Pérotin? Navarre or la Halle? It is difficult for inquiring minds to tackle such abundant fields as classical music and opera, covering 10 centuries of history: there are thousands of composers. Making a selection of musicians, such as a “top 10” for example, is a difficult and subjective exercise. A musical selection is often the expression of personal preferences or artistic opinions, very interesting but also very different according to critics or musicologists, or simply influenced by the context: will an English composer not be instinctively privileged by an English critic?

For example: in France, Charles Gounod, a 19th century French composer, is more easily mentioned than the Norwegian Edvard Grieg, who is more recognized in the world.

Timeline of classical music composers, between 1000 and 1500

Whoever wants to discover classical music or opera does not always have an experienced music lover, an expert or an educator at his or her side to support and guide him or her in these fields. So : Dufay (Franco-Flemish Renaissance composer) or Pérotin (French composer) ? Ciconia (Flemish medieval composer and music theorist) or Prez (Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance) ? However, the knowledge available about musicians is enormous. It was processed to select the 10, 25, 50... most popular composers around the world, for those living or having lived between 1000 and 1500. And this objectively, and for the first time (soClassiQ exclusivity).

Composers rendered as a timeline to bring a little perspective:

9509501000100010501050110011001150115012001200125012501300130013501350140014001450145015001500

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MedievalRenaissance
L. Compère 14401518
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>TavernerJ. Taverner A. Squarcialupi 14161480
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>TinctorisJ. Tinctoris 14351511
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">L. </span>SenflL. Senfl <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>BinchoisG. Binchois 14001460
P. Attaingnant
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>MoutonJ. Mouton 14591522
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>AgricolaA. Agricola 14461506J. Bologna Solage
P. Sandrin 14901561
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">H. </span>SachsH. Sachs 14941576
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1"> </span>Léonin Léonin 11351201<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">JD. </span>PrezJD. Prez 14501521<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>CiconiaJ. Ciconia
G. Weerbeke 14451517
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">P. </span>VerdelotP. Verdelot 14701552
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>DufayG. Dufay 13971474<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">W. </span>der VogelweideW. der Vogelweide 11701230<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>WillaertA. Willaert 14901562<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">F. </span>LandiniF. Landini 13251397H. Frauenlob 12551318
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">V. </span>CapirolaV. Capirola 14741548
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>BusnoisA. Busnois 14301492N. Gombert 14951560
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>OckeghemJ. Ockeghem 14101497<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1"> </span>Pérotin Pérotin 11601230P. Abelard 10791142<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>ArezzoG. Arezzo <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>MachautG. Machaut 13001377<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>la HalleA. la Halle
J. Mantua 14831559
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>BrumelA. Brumel
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">H. </span>BingenH. Bingen 10981179<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>DunstapleJ. Dunstaple 13901453<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">C. </span>JanequinC. Janequin 14851558<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">TI. </span>NavarreTI. Navarre <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">P. </span>VitryP. Vitry 12931361
A. Divitis
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">FC. </span>MilanoFC. Milano
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>ObrechtJ. Obrecht B. Cordier PT. Chancellor 11651236
A. Schlick 14601525
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">H. </span>IsaacH. Isaac 14501517O. Wolkenstein 13771445
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">C. </span>SermisyC. Sermisy 14901562
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">P. </span>la RueP. la Rue M. Radomski
>

ComposersConductorsLyrical singersPerformers2021

This timeline is interactive to navigate through the ages , or eras : medieval music, renaissance, baroque music (Bach...), classical period (Mozart...), romantic music (Beethoven...), XXth (Stravinsky), or across continents (with ).

Top 10 classical musiccomposers for the years 1000-1500

Who are these greatest composers, the most famous over the 1000-1500 era? The works of these musician have shaped the history of classical music and lyric art. There are those you probably know, or at least by name and the others.

Here are these 10 classical music composers, renowned artists from around the world:

10

Curious to know their most emblematic works? Just a click away to discover them.

The selections of musicians (classical music composers) proposed by soClassiQ are based exclusively on algorithms. The same applies to their works, the performers, the lyrical singers, les orchestras, the conductors and the venues : opera houses, concert halls or festivals.

What about the others? 25, 50 or more?

Summarizing to 10 musician names such a wide and diverse field may seem extreme or too simplistic for those who know classical music and lyrical art well, for those who can easily name 50 or more classical music composers. Obrecht, der Vogelweide, Willaert, Abelard, Machaut, Senfl, Léonin...

At this time, soClassiQ has listed more than 18000 composers. So here is a selection of some composers for the years 1000-1500, widely recognized around the world:

A

Peter AbelardThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1079-1142 (Medieval)
Composer

Henry AbyngdonThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1418-1497 (Renaissance)
Conductor, Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer

Alexander <strong>Agricola</strong> Alexander AgricolaThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1446-1506 (Renaissance)
Composer

Guido of <strong>Arezzo</strong> Guido of ArezzoThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
991-1050 (Medieval)
Composer

Hugh AstonThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1485-1558 (Renaissance)
Composer

Pierre AttaingnantThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1494-1552 (Renaissance)
Composer

B

Gilles <strong>Binchois</strong> Gilles BinchoisThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1400-1460 (Renaissance)
Lyrical singer & Composer

Hildegard of <strong>Bingen</strong> Hildegard of BingenThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1098-1179 (Medieval)
Composer
Complete works

Jacopo da BolognaThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1340-1386 (Medieval)
Composer

John BrowneThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1401c-1501 (Renaissance)
Composer

Antoine <strong>Brumel</strong> Antoine BrumelThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1460-1512 (Renaissance)
Composer

Antoine <strong>Busnois</strong> Antoine BusnoisThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1430-1492 (Renaissance)
Composer

C

Vincenzo <strong>Capirola</strong> Vincenzo CapirolaThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1474-1548 (Renaissance)
Performer & Composer

Philip the ChancellorThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1165-1236 (Medieval)
Composer

Mikołaj z ChrzanowaThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1485-1562 (Renaissance)
Composer

Johannes <strong>Ciconia</strong> Johannes CiconiaThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1370-1412 (Medieval)
Composer
Complete works

Loyset CompèreThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1440-1518 (Renaissance)
Lyrical singer & Composer

Baude CordierThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1364-1400 (Medieval)
Performer & Composer

Juan CornagoThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1450-1475 (Renaissance)
Composer

D

Walther von <strong>der Vogelweide</strong> Walther von der VogelweideThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1170-1230 (Medieval)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer

Antonius DivitisThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1475-1526 (Renaissance)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer

Guillaume <strong>Dufay</strong> Guillaume DufayThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1397-1474 (Renaissance)
Composer
Complete works

John <strong>Dunstaple</strong> John DunstapleThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1390-1453 (Renaissance)
Composer
Complete works

F

Heinrich von FrauenlobThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1255-1318 (Medieval)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer

G

Nicolas GombertThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1495-1560 (Renaissance)
Composer

GrimaceThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1350c-1375c (Medieval)
Composer

Piotr of GrudziądzThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1392-1480 (Renaissance)
Composer

I

Heinrich <strong>Isaac</strong> Heinrich IsaacThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1450-1517 (Renaissance)
Performer & Composer

J

Clément <strong>Janequin</strong> Clément JanequinThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1485-1558 (Renaissance)
Performer & Composer
Complete works

L

Adam de <strong>la Halle</strong> Adam de la HalleThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1240-1288 (Medieval)
Lyrical singer & Composer

Francesco <strong>Landini</strong> Francesco LandiniThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1325-1397 (Medieval)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer

... L

Pierre de <strong>la Rue</strong> Pierre de la RueThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1460-1518 (Renaissance)
Composer

<strong>Léonin</strong> LéoninThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1135-1201 (Medieval)
Composer

Georg LibanThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
age 556 (20th century)
Composer

M

Guillaume de <strong>Machaut</strong> Guillaume de MachautThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1300-1377 (Medieval)
Composer
Complete works

Jacquet of MantuaThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1483-1559 (Renaissance)
Composer

Francesco Canova da <strong>Milano</strong> Francesco Canova da MilanoThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1497-1543 (Renaissance)
Performer & Composer

Jean <strong>Mouton</strong> Jean MoutonThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1459-1522 (Renaissance)
Composer

N

Theobald I of <strong>Navarre</strong> Theobald I of NavarreThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1201-1253 (Medieval)
Lyrical singer & Composer

O

Jacob <strong>Obrecht</strong> Jacob ObrechtThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1457-1505 (Renaissance)
Composer
Complete works

Johannes <strong>Ockeghem</strong> Johannes OckeghemThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1410-1497 (Renaissance)
Composer

P

Bartolomé Ramos de ParejaThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1440-1491 (Renaissance)
Composer

<strong>Pérotin</strong> PérotinThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1160-1230 (Medieval)
Composer
Complete works

Matheus de PerusioThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1380c-1418c (Medieval)
Composer

Josquin des <strong>Prez</strong> Josquin des PrezThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1450-1521 (Renaissance)
Composer
Complete works

R

Mikołaj RadomskiThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1400-1450 (Renaissance)
Composer

S

Hans <strong>Sachs</strong> Hans SachsThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1494-1576 (Renaissance)
Lyrical singer & Composer

Pierre SandrinThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1490-1561 (Renaissance)
Composer

Arnolt SchlickThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1460c-1525 (Renaissance)
Performer & Composer

Ludwig <strong>Senfl</strong> Ludwig SenflThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1486-1542 (Renaissance)
Conductor & Composer

Claudin de <strong>Sermisy</strong> Claudin de SermisyThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1490-1562 (Renaissance)
Lyrical singer & Composer

SolageThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1400c-1403 (Renaissance)
Composer

Antonio SquarcialupiThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1416-1480 (Renaissance)
Performer & Composer

T

John <strong>Taverner</strong> John TavernerThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1490-1545 (Renaissance)
Composer

Johannes <strong>Tinctoris</strong> Johannes TinctorisThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1435-1511 (Renaissance)
Composer
Complete works

Genc TukiçiThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
age 1990 (20th century)
Lyrical singer, Performer & Composer

V

Philippe <strong>Verdelot</strong> Philippe VerdelotThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1470-1552 (Renaissance)
Conductor & Composer

Philippe de <strong>Vitry</strong> Philippe de VitryThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1293-1361 (Medieval)
Composer
Complete works

W

Gaspar van WeerbekeThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1445-1517 (Renaissance)
Composer

Adrian <strong>Willaert</strong> Adrian WillaertThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1490-1562 (Renaissance)
Composer

Oswald von WolkensteinThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1377-1445 (Renaissance)
Composer

Z

Záviš of ZápyThe beginnings of classical music (1000-1500)
1350-1411 (Medieval)
Composer

Some composers to be celebrated very soon

Next month, more than 40 important artists and musicians will be honoured. In November 2020 some of them may celebrate a special anniversary. For others, amateurs and enthusiasts will celebrate the bicentenary of their birth or the fiftieth anniversary of their death for example. Among them, some famous composers:

on 8, César Franck (1822-1890), 130th anniversary (Death),
on 12, Henryk Gorecki (1933-2010), 10th anniversary (Death),
on 14, Aaron Copland (1900-1990), 120th anniversary (Birth),
on 18, Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), 160th anniversary (Birth),
on 22, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784), 310th anniversary (Birth),
...

There are others to discover. And it is not too late to focus on the October 2020 celebrations (30+).

Always good opportunities to discover or deepen, (re)listen, explore the vastness and diversity of classical music...

See also...

Timelines : Composers

Indexes

Other timelines

Commemorations 2020, 2021, ...

Last update : 2020-10-01

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