Music High_Middle_Ages

musicians playing spanish vihuela, 1 bow, other plucked hand, in cantigas de santa maria of alfonso x of castile, 13th century



men playing organistrum, ourense cathedral, spain, 12th century

the surviving music of high middle ages religious in nature, since music notation developed in religious institutions, , application of notation secular music later development. in period, gregorian chant dominant form of church music; other forms, beginning organum, , later including clausulae, conductus, , motet, developed using chant source material.

during 11th century, guido of arezzo 1 of first develop musical notation, made easier singers remember gregorian chants.

it during 12th , 13th centuries gregorian plainchant gave birth polyphony, appeared in works of french notre dame school (léonin , pérotin). later evolved ars nova (philippe de vitry, guillaume de machaut) , musical genres of late middle ages. important composer during 12th century nun hildegard of bingen.

the significant secular movement of troubadours, arose in occitania (southern france) in late 11th century. troubadours itinerant, came classes of society, , wrote songs on variety of topics, though particular focus on courtly love. style went on influence trouvères of northern france, minnesingers of germany, , composers of secular music of trecento in northern italy.