The importance of musical form from the Middle Ages through the 18th Century

As musical notation became more sophisticated and exact, composers were able to develop more complex musical structures. Please discuss how musical form unfolded from the Middle Ages (love songs, Mass, early opera) through the 18th century (baroque suites, concertos, classical symphonies, sonatas, etc.) and describe specific musical elements which composers used to give shape and meaning to a particular form. Please give concrete musical examples of pieces to demonstrate your point