music & arts

Medieval Period

Also known as the Middle Ages or Dark Ages, started with the fall of the Roman Empire.

Monody

A type of music consisting of a single melodic line.

Plainsong

Monophonic music consisting of a single unaccompanied melody, often used in liturgical settings.

Gregorian Chant

Monophonic liturgical music in the Roman Catholic Church.

Neume

Various symbols used in the notation of Gregorian chant.

Troubadour Music

Secular music that emerged in the later medieval period, typically focused on themes of chivalry and courtly love.

Madrigal

A form of secular vocal polyphonic music originating in Italy, important during the Renaissance period.

Mass

A form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of the Eucharistic liturgy to music.

Motet

A polyphonic choral work in Latin text, often sung acapella.

Baroque Music

A style characterized by elaborate melodies, dynamic contrasts, and a wide variety of musical genres and forms.

Opera

A dramatic genre of classical music combining singing and instrumental music.

Oratorio

A large-scale musical composition for orchestra and voices, typically religious and performed without costumes or action.

Fugue

A contrapuntal composition in which a short melody is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others.

Giovanni Pierluigi Da Palestrina

Considered the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church music during the Renaissance.

Antonio Vivaldi

An Italian Baroque composer known as 'The Red Priest', famous for the 'Four Seasons' concertos.

John Sebastian Bach

A prominent composer of the Baroque period known for his works for organ, orchestra, and oratorio.

Mosaic

A decorative art technique involving the assembly of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials to create an image.

Gothic Period

Characterized by architectural features like stained glass windows and elaborate designs in cathedrals.

Hagia Sophia

A monumental building in Istanbul originally built as a cathedral, known for its massive dome and architectural significance.