Normally the Medieval and Renaissance periods were focused on the Voice, and the Lute family; such as the Mandolin. And thus are less (unfortunately) performed or heard due to the lack of specification of which instruments play where. Baroque however in its earliest periods tended to have focused on specifying which instruments played where and when instead of the former of if an instrument can play within a certain octave then it can play that part. Also Baroque music has more of the, what most would consider "Iconic" composers of the late Classical Music Era's. Such Frederic Handel, or Johann Bach, and even the Johann Pachelbel. Not that the Medieval nor Renaissance periods had any highly recognized composers, its just what is taught more in educational environments as well.
