Machaut

Guillaume de Machaut was a influential French composer and poet of the 14th century, renowned for developing and popularizing polyphony—the layering of multiple melodies—in medieval music. His work marked a significant transition from simple medieval chant to more complex, expressive musical forms, blending words and music seamlessly. Machaut composed both secular and sacred music, including some of the earliest known complete musical settings of the Mass. His innovative techniques and poetic artistry had a lasting impact on Western music, shaping the development of Renaissance music and influencing future composers.