Guido d'Arezzo: The Benedictine Monk Who Invented Modern Musical Notation 1,000 Years Ago
By
Giuseppina La Face
Lightly browned and well buttered. A solid pick from the rack.
Summary
This article celebrates Guido d'Arezzo, an 11th-century Benedictine monk who invented modern musical notation, including the staff and note names (ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la). The piece argues that without his "technological" invention, the works of later musical giants like Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach would not have been possible. The article is published in connection with the Festa della Musica (Music Day) on June 21, when Arezzo will celebrate "Guido Day" to mark 1,000 years of musical writing.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledNon c'è Beethoven senza di lui.
Quella del benedettino fu un'invenzione geniale, 'tecnologica' la definiremmo oggi.
Sono personaggi enormi che hanno modificato, ampliato, arricchito interi territori della nostra cultura.
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