We can see music history has developed from Medieval through the Baroque period throughout time. In the Medieval period, it was more about the religious influences and making music for god because he gave you the idea to do so. You, also, used your voice mostly instead of instruments.. Throughout the Renaissance period, it was more about claiming your own music. Making music without having religious thoughts or writings. Finally, in the Baroque period, the music was more about making Operas. It contained polyphonic music in late Baroque. You, also, used your voice to mimic the instruments played at times. Through these different periods you notice the transitions between each music period and the change of style.
The Medieval period started with the domination of the early Catholic Church, which made sacred music most prevalent. (ipl) Beginning with Gregorian Chant, sacred music slowly went from his Monophonic vocal works and developed into polyphonic music called organum, which were performed in courts. (ipl) “His work was historically performed during Catholic ceremonies. The performance ranges between groups, or between a group and soloist. By the eleventh century, one, two, added melodic lines were no longer moving in parallel motion, but contrary to each other, sometimes even crossing.” (“HOM”) The original chant melody was then sung very slowly on long held notes called the tenor. (Sagebiel) Leonin was known to compose this style, he composed two part polyphony. “When Leonin died, Perotin replaced him. Pérotin's music is an excellent example of this very early form of polyphony.” (Sagebiel) “He composed a four part polyphony, Viderunt Omnes, is an example. Secular music became popular, as well, by the French trouvères and troubadours. Wandering performers joined such groups as the troubadours, trouveres, which introduced polyphony secular music.” (ipl) (essential-humanities) They were often built upon an existing melody rather than being composed from scratch. (essential-humanities) This happened until the Baroque era. Machaut composed several secular love songs. (ipl)
These songs showed the courtly love found in vocal art, and capture all the joy, pain and heartbreak of courtly romance. Beatriz de Dia, was an example, she performed “ A Chantar,” which sang her feelings of this man she loved even though she was married. She sang this song in her husband’s court. Back in her days, “Love” wasn’t a feeling it was a choice. Du fay, was a priest who was a part of Burgundy, a powerful court who. He didn't practice: chastity, help the poor, and had obedience. Like Machaut who made sacred polyphony music. Du fay composed his church music and polyphonic chanson. His composition was called, Ce Moys de May. (Sagebiel)
“Guillaume Dufay composed music from the late Medieval era into the early Renaissance. “As music started changing, so did the music of Guillaume Dufay. He began to explore the music of four voice vocal texture, which became a distinct Renaissance musical characteristic. He helped Medieval music to move forward and transition into the Renaissance age. “ (‘TQ’)
The Renaissance period would be described as the age of rebirth, individualism and creativity, art, religion, society, and the rise of humanism. Because the church lost it’s power, musical activity gradually moved from the church to the court. (Sagebiel)
The Renaissance music period would be described as polyphonic, also, you didn’t really use instruments, it was usually acapella. Compared to the Medieval period, Renaissance was fuller. Composers considered the harmonic effect of chords rather than lay one melody above another. There was two forms of sacred Renaissance Music, the motet and the mass. The motet, which was used by Desprez and Palestrina, is a polyphonic composition based on sacred text. Josquin des Prez, was one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance, whose reputation stands on a level with those of Du Fay, Palestrina, and etc. In one of