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Classical Music/Composers
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Question
We always hear of the masters,but,what of the composers of the periods from just before the baroque into just after the romantic period,who were considered failures of the craft?Is anything preserved of them,who were they?
The problem is that before the Baroque, it was not customary to put one's name on a composition. Labor in the glory of God, who was the only one who mattered.
That is why we have only Leonin and Perotin from the 11th c (France); they are called the Notre Dame School since they were from that cathdral. In the 14th c we have Machaut. 15th century is Josquin. By the time of Machaut, we have a couple more names; and by Josquin, we have a number of others; this was the Renaissance.
We know Buxtehude and Sweelinck from before Bach. Scheidt, too.
In England, we have the virginalist and madrigal schools.
Also bear in mind that the "trade routes" from town to town and country to country were most muddy tracks that were difficult to travel. And most folks spent almost all their time working for their next meal: not a lot of time to travel.
If they were failures, they were forgotten, inasmuch as the good composers were barely remembered!
I suggest that you do some research on the names and genres above and see what you can dig up.
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Answers by Expert:
Marbeth
Expertise
I have a PhD in musicology, with expertise in medieval - Renaissance - Baroque - Classical periods, but I'll try to help you with any period.
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