1170 - 1310
Ars Antiqua
Ars antiqua (Latin for "old art") is the name for the musical era from 1230 to 1330.
Leoninus
1135 - 1201
The earliest composer known to us by name is the composer Leonin (Leoninus). He was born in Paris in 1135 and died around 1201.
He received his education in the schools of the Notre Dame Cathedral and later became a priest in Notre Dame. Leonin is particularly known for his development and original writing of polyphonic music (music in which two or more lines appear at the same time).
Leonin's compositions were based on Gregorian chants. The original chant served as the basis and a second part, the treble, was added to the original chant.
This style became known as the organum. One of Leonin's major contributions to music was a collection of Organum with two-part settings of parts of the mass known as the Magnus Liber Organi.
Perotinus
1160 - 1240
His full name is Perotinus Magister, also known as Magister Perotinus or Perotinus Magnus, but most simply refer to him as Perotin. He was a French composer of the Middle Ages, one of the few composers of the time whose name went down in history.
Perotin wrote Organum, an early form of counterpoint, and sacred music in the style of the Ars Antiqua. He was also one of the first composers to use polyphony in his compositions and is believed to have influenced the development of the motet. He worked under Master Leonin at the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Pérotin created impressive organas for up to 4 voices. Both are said to be members of the Paris School or the Notre Dame School. Perotin published the Magnus Liber Organi, a collection of Organum by Leonin.
