Ars Nova

Ars nova

Audio: Ars Nova

Ars nova (“the new art,” 14th-century France and Italy) is a revolution in rhythm and notation that gave music independence from words. The age of Guillaume de Machaut and Francesco Landini.

Ars nova takes its name from Philippe de Vitry's treatise (c. 1322). A new notation system for the first time allowed complex rhythms, duple division (previously deemed “imperfect”), and syncopation to be written precisely. Music became refined, isorhythmic, intellectually dense.

Its greatest master was Guillaume de Machaut, composer of the first single-author polyphonic mass (Messe de Nostre Dame) and secular ballades, rondeaux, and virelais. In Italy the parallel Trecento flourished with the blind organist Francesco Landini. Ars nova defined itself against the old style (ars antiqua) as an art of freedom and elegance.

Cultural Versus

Ars Nova

Sub-category:: classical

Ars nova (“the new art,” 14th-century France and Italy) is a revolution in rhythm and notation that gave music independence from words. The age of Guillaume de Machaut and Francesco Landini.

40%similarity

Historical: IDM — Egor Komarov · Pexels License — https://www.pexels.com/license/

Modern: IDM — Egor Komarov · Pexels License — https://www.pexels.com/license/

IDM

Sub-category:: electronic

IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) is an experimental electronic music direction with complex rhythms, unconventional structures, and an intellectual approach. Made for home listening rather than the dance floor.