Medieval main composers

There  are few composers from the middle ages that are known today, yet we know that music was an important part of the medieval culture. In the following headland the most relevant composers are listed, together to links to one of their compositions:

• Magister Leoninus

Born: 1150
Died: 1201
Nationality: French
Léonin was the first known significant composer of polyphonic organum. His most famous composition is the great book for the gradual and antiphonary.

 Gloria in excelsis Deo

• Francesco Landini

Born: 1325

Died: 1397

Nationality: French

His most important compositions are ecco la primavera, orsu and questa fanciullámor. He was an organist, singer, poet and instrument maker too.

 Ecco la Primavera

• Philippe de Vitry

Born: 1291

Died: 1361

Nationality: French

Some his most famous compositions are Aman novi, Heu Fortuna, Heu me, tristis est anima mea. He was a music theorist, poet, and an acomplished, innovative and influental composer who may have been the author of the Ars Nova treatise.

 Vos Qui Admiramini

• Magister Perotin

Born: 1155-1160

Died: 1230

Nationality: French

His works are preserved in the Magnus Liber, the "Great Book" include Viderunt Omnes. He was the most famous member of the Notre Dame school of polyphony and the ars antiqua style. 

 Viderunt Omnes

• Guillaume de Machaut

Born: 1300

Died: April 1377

Nationality: French

Some of his compositions are Esperance qui m'asseure, Je ne cuit pas or Se je me pleing. Machaut was "the last great poet who was also a composer", and he composed in a wide range of styles and forms.

 Messe de Notre Dame