Meaning of Ars Nova in Music
Ars nova, which means "new art" in Latin, refers to a musical style that flourished in the Kingdom of France and its surrounding areas during the Late Middle Ages, specifically between the preparation of the Roman de Fauvel in the 1310s and the death of composer Guillaume de Machaut in 1377. It is also used more generally to describe all European polyphonic music of the 14th century. The term "ars" in "ars nova" can be interpreted as "technique" or "style".
The designation "Ars Nova" was the title of a treatise written around 1320 by the composer Philippe de Vitry, who was a proponent of the new musical innovations of the time. In his treatise, Philippe de Vitry demonstrated the rhythmic notation innovations that characterized the new music.
The term "Ars Nova" specifically applies to the French music of the 14th century, but it has also been used to refer to Italian Ars Nova, also known as Italian trecento music. The Italian counterpart of Ars Nova is often referred to as Trecento music.
The Ars Nova period was a time of tremendous flowering of music in the 14th century, particularly in France. It was characterized by innovations in rhythmic notation and increased sophistication in polyphony and rhythmic complexity The music of Ars Nova was more complex and difficult compared to the earlier Ars Antiqua period.
Overall, Ars Nova represents a significant period in the development of Western music, marked by new techniques and styles that pushed the boundaries of musical expression in the 14th century.
French musical style of the 14th century. The term is generally used to distinguish the music from the time period of c.1316 to the death of composer Guillaume de Machaut (1377) from the earlier musical style of the Ars antiqua. During the ars nova period, musical themes were transformed increasingly from religious to secular.
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