Pérotin

Pérotin, known as "Master Pérotin the Great," was a pioneering French composer of the medieval era, born around 1160 and passing away circa 1230. He is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to polyphonic music and the Notre Dame school of composition. Pérotin revolutionized medieval music by creating pieces with three and four voices, a technique known as "dechant." His work is distinguished by the use of discantus, where higher voices move rhythmically independent above a sustained tenor line. Through his innovative compositions, Pérotin laid the foundation for the development of complex vocal music, making him a pivotal figure in the history of Western music.