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Notre Dame School

The Notre Dame School refers to a movement of music from the late 12th to the early 13th century, centered around the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It is notable for developing early polyphony, where multiple independent melodies are sung or played simultaneously, marking a significant evolution in Western music. Key figures include composers like Léonin and Pérotin, who expanded musical notation and introduced techniques to enhance rhythm and harmony. This school laid the groundwork for future musical traditions, influencing the way music was composed and performed in medieval Europe and beyond.

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    The Notre-Dame School refers to a group of composers active around the 12th and 13th centuries at or near the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. They are known for developing early polyphony, where multiple independent melodies are sung or played simultaneously. This period marked a significant evolution in Western music, moving beyond plainchant to more complex musical structures. Key figures include Léonin and Pétur, who advanced musical notation and techniques that laid the groundwork for later developments in music composition. Their innovations were crucial to the transition from medieval to Renaissance music.