Medieval music, spanning the 9th to 15th centuries, is characterized by monophonic and polyphonic textures, often featuring solo voices or chant-like harmonies, accompanied by simple instrumental accompaniment, such as the fiddle, recorder, or organ. Emerging from the Gregorian chant tradition, medieval music evolved into complex polyphonic forms, like motets and masses, influenced by troubadours and courtly love poetry. During the High Middle Ages (12th-13th centuries), this genre flourished in European monasteries and courts, reflecting the era's cultural and spiritual values. Medieval music's unique characteristics include the use of modal scales, antiphonal singing, and elaborate ornamentation. Its influence can be seen in subsequent Renaissance and Baroque styles, while its distinctive, haunting beauty continues to captivate audiences today, with modern ensembles and artists reinterpreting and reimagining this ancient music for contemporary ears.
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