Within the context of the Western musical tradition, the term polyphony is usually used to refer to music of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. Baroque forms such as fugue, which might be called …

The most far-reaching addition to music during the Middle Ages was the invention of polyphony—music in more than one part—an aspect of Western art that is not duplicated in any other culture.

Around the turn of the second millennium, the practice of polyphony had been in place for two centuries or more, and the doubling, trebling, and even quadrupling of a plainchant at various perfect intervals …

May 23, 2023 · We explain the basics of polyphony and how it works, with examples from well-known composers

Dec 12, 2023 · From the early chants of the church to the complexities of contemporary compositions, polyphony has evolved and influenced the course of music history. In this article, we will discuss …

In the 12th century true polyphony comes into being; the melodic lines become individualized mostly by being given different rhythms. There emerges a hierarchy between the voice parts.

Polyphony rose out of melismatic organum, the earliest harmonization of the chant. Twelfth-century composers, such as Léonin and Pérotin developed the organum that was introduced centuries …

Feb 14, 2025 · Polyphony represents a sophisticated and enduring approach to musical composition. From its origins in Medieval chant to its ongoing evolution in contemporary music and technology, …

Mar 31, 2024 · Although contrapuntal elements continued to exist in the music of Classicism and Romanticism, a new era of polyphony development started only in the 20th century when composers …

May 27, 2025 · The development of polyphony unfolded throughout Europe and over several centuries. Yet, some places — courts, churches, cities or even whole regions or states — played a more …