Ars nova

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. ("New art") a term used to designate the music of fourteenth-century France; characteristics include the use of duple as well as triple meter, the use of the minim (a very short note value) and in some works the use of isorhythm. The term was also used as the title for a treatise reflecting the teachings of Philippe de Vitry. "new art". a term invented by Philippe de Vitry to describe the music of his era, the 14th century, as opposed to the music of earlier generations