Polyphonic Music in Central Europe, c.1300–c.1520

Abstract

Abstract The fifteenth century saw the rapid development of musical institutions and the expansion of musical activity in the region east of the Rhine and north of the Alps, specifically that part of Europe now made up of Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria (see Map 4). The picture of this region during the fifteenth century found in much of the literature of music history of the twentieth century is generally that it is backward, undeveloped, and well behind the times in comparison with northern France, the Italian city-states, and England. In terms of the totality of musical activity in each of these areas and significant figures in the development of music in the fifteenth century, this view is somewhat accurate—there was more activity and there were more major composers in other parts of Europe. Unfortunately, this view has, until quite recently, also influenced research to the extent that only in the last two decades have scholars begun to identify the composers, repertories, and institutions of the region that did indeed exist and thrive during the fifteenth century. Recent research has shown that this region, while not possessing a musical life the equal of that found in major centres in northern France or in Italy, did have developed musical institutions and a significant number of people engaged in the composition, performance, and discussion of music.