Léonin

Léonin was a medieval composer from the 12th century, known for creating some of the earliest choral music using a technique called organum, which adds additional voices to Gregorian chant. His work involved developing polyphony—music with multiple independent melodic lines—by expanding the traditional plainchant. Léonin's compositions helped lay the groundwork for Western music's development, emphasizing harmony and complexity in sacred music. His pioneering efforts mark a significant step in the evolution from monophonic Gregorian chant to more intricate, multi-voice musical textures.