Medieval Music by Richard H. Hoppin surveys the history and development of music in the Western world from its roots in early Christian liturgy up to the initial glimmerings of the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. Hoppin considers the sources and uses of monophonic chant, the development of increasingly complex polyphony, and the earliest surviving examples of secular songs and dances. Covering both national styles and major composers, Medieval Music provides a thorough overview of music's earliest recorded history. A companion anthology is available that includes scores for many of the examples discussed in the book.

This is a volume from The Norton Introduction to Music History, presenting the music of the Western world to the nonspecialist in six volumes. In each one, an outstanding musicologist surveys the music of a specific period, discusses its major composers, and examines the forces that influenced and helped shape their works. The series is part of the tradition of excellence in musical scholarship that Norton has established in this field.