British Library, Add MS 29987

Add MS 29987 is a medieval Tuscan musical manuscript dating from the late fourteenth or early fifteenth century, held in the British Library in London. It contains a number of polyphonic Italian Trecento madrigals, ballate, sacred mass movements, and motets, and 15 untexted monophonic instrumental dances, which are among the earliest purely instrumental pieces in the Western musical tradition. The manuscript apparently belonged to the de' Medici family in the fifteenth century, and by 1670 was in the possession of Carlo di Tommaso Strozzi; it was in the British Museum from 1876, where it was catalogued as item 29987 of the Additional manuscripts series. It is now in the British Library.[1][2]

Add MS 29987
British Library
Facsimile of f. 62v of the manuscript, showing the Trotto and part of a saltarello
Also known asLondon BM Add. 29987
Datec. 1400
Place of originTuscany or possibly Umbria
Language(s)Tuscan
Materialparchment
Size26 × 19.5 cm
Formatquarto
Contentsvocal and instrumental music
Previously kept
Transcription in reduced note values of the Trotto on f. 62v, showing aperto and chiusso endings

The manuscript

The manuscript measures approximately 26 × 19.5 cm, and consists of 88 parchment leaves in 11 quaternio gatherings.[3] There are six flyleaves at the front, one from 1957, three from 1876 and two from the seventeenth century, of which the first has a list in the hand of Carlo di Tommaso Strozzi of the composers represented; two flyleaves at the back date from 1876 and 1957. The binding in half leather is from 1957, over older thick wooden boards. The first folio has the arms of the de' Medici family in red, gold, blue and green;[4]:7–8 the arms are in the "augmented" form granted by Louis XI in 1465, with the arms of France in the upper central ball.[5]

Add 29987 is a part of a larger manuscript of at least 185 pages, as the surviving leaves were originally numbered 98–185.[1] The pages are ruled with eight five-line staves in red, and the music is written in full (black) mensural notation, with only occasional use of void ("white") notes and red colouration.[3] It is carelessly written in one principal and several other scribal hands; the musical text is corrupted in many places by a later hand, which altered the rhythms and added inappropriate rests.[1]

The exact date of the manuscript remains uncertain; estimates range from the late fourteenth century to about 1425. The music dates from 1340–1400;[1] one piece, number 118, is clearly of later date, and numbers 115–117 may also be somewhat later than most of the others.[3] The geographical origin of the manuscript is equally uncertain; it is thought to be either Tuscany or Umbria. The titles of two of the instrumental pieces, "Isabella" and "Principio di virtù", may suggest a connection to Perugia, which was ruled between 1400 and 1402 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti;[3] Visconti was, through his marriage to Isabella, Countess of Vertus, the comte de Vertus, or, in Italian, the Conte di Virtù. However Visconti was also Duke of Milan, and the manuscript may thus be connected with that city.[6]

The works

Add MS 29987 contains 119 pieces of music; however, three of them are copied twice, so there are 116 different pieces.[4]:9 Of these, 45 are ballate, 35 or 36 (if a fragment is counted) are madrigals, 15 are instrumental pieces under the general title of "istampitta" or estampie, 8 are cacce and 3 are virelais. There are also a motet and a "Chançonete tedesce" or canzonetta tedesca, and 7 liturgical works, kyrie, gloria, credo, antiphon, two sequences and a hymn; the last piece is untexted, but may be a madrigal.[1][4]:10 Forty-three of the pieces, including all the instrumental works, are unica.[4]:13

Eighty-two of the pieces, all but one of them polyphonic, can be attributed to their composers, either because the composer's name is given in the manuscript or by comparison with other sources. Half of these are by either Francesco Landini (29) or Niccolò da Perugia (12 and a fragment). There are seven works by Jacopo da Bologna, five by each of Bartolino da Padova, Giovanni da Cascia and Lorenzo da Firenze, and three by each of Bonaiuto Corsini, Donato da Cascia, Gherardello da Firenze and Vincenzo da Rimini. Andrea da Firenze, Jacopo Pianelaio da Firenze, Paolo da Firenze, Rosso da Collegrana and Thomas de Celano are each represented by a single piece. There is one ballata by Guglielmus and Egidius de Francia, and a madrigal by Guglielmus alone.[4]

List of contents of the manuscript

The 119 pieces in the manuscript are:[4]:18–26

NumberName/ beginning of textComposerGenreUnicum?Notes
1O dolç' apress' un bel perlaro fiumeJacopo da Bolognamadrigalsame as #3
2Di novo e giont' un cavalier erranteJacopo da Bolognamadrigal
3O dolç' apress' un bel perlaro fiumeJacopo da Bolognamadrigalsame as #1
4O perlaro gentilGiovanni da Casciamadrigal
5Apress' un fiume chiaroGiovanni da Casciamadrigal
6Per allegreça del parlar d'amoreFrancesco Landiniballata
7O tu chara scientiaGiovanni da Casciamadrigal
8Si chome al canto de la bella iguanaJacopo da Bolognamadrigal
9Sedendo al ombra d'una bella mandorlaGiovanni da Casciamadrigal
10Si dolce non sonoFrancesco Landinimadrigal
11Musica son che mi dolgho piaggendo
Gia furon le dolceççe mie
Ciascun vole narrar
Francesco Landinimadrigal
12Una colomba candid' e gentiFrancesco Landinimadrigal
13Alba cholumba con sua verde ramaBartolino da Padovamadrigal
14Prima vertute chon stringer la linguaJacopo da Bolognamadrigal
15Mille merceEgidius and Guglielmus de Franciaballata
16Quando la terra parturessen verdeBartolino da Padovamadrigalsame as #24
17La dolce ceraBartolino da Padovamadrigal
18Non posso far buchatoanon.ballata
19Useletto selvagioJacopo da Bolognamadrigal
20Un bel parlare vive sulla rivaJacopo da Bolognamadrigal×
21Piu non mi churoGiovanni da Casciamadrigal
22I credo ch'i dormivaLorenzo da Firenzemadrigal
23Qual legie moveBartolino da Padovamadrigal
24Quando la terra parturessen verdeBartolino da Padovamadrigalsame as #16
25Per sparverareJacopo da Bolognacaccia
26Non avra mai pietaFrancesco Landiniballata
27Donna, s'i t'o falitoFrancesco Landiniballata
28Guard' una voltaFrancesco Landiniballata
29Io son un pellegrinanon.ballata
30Perche di novo sdegnoFrancesco Landiniballata
31Tosto che l'albaGherardello da Firenzecaccia
32L'aspido sord[o] e'l tirello scorçoneDonato da Firenzemadrigal
33La dona miaNiccolò da Perugiaballata
34Non senti donna piu piaceranon.ballata×
35Se pronto non saraFrancesco Landiniballata
36Nella piu chara parteFrancesco Landiniballata
37Sta quel ch'esser poAndrea da Firenzeballata×
38Gran piant' agli occhiFrancesco Landiniballata
39Adyou, adyou, dous dame volieFrancesco Landinivirelai
40Partesi con doloreFrancesco Landiniballata
41I son tua donnaNiccolò da Perugiaballata×
42La mantacha ssera tututu lo primo
Cum martelli incrudena
anon.ballata×
43In forma quasi tra 'l veglarVincenzo da Riminicacciasame as #96
44Piu bella donna 'l mondo ma nonFrancesco Landiniballata×
45Donna, non fu giamayBonaiuto Corsiniballata×
46Vidi nell'ombraLorenzo da Firenzemadrigal
47Piata ti movaBonaiuto Corsiniballata×
48Amor, tu vedi ch'io per teBonaiuto Corsiniballata×
49Povero çappatorLorenzo da Firenzemadrigal
50I fu gia bianch' uccielDonato da Firenzemadrigal
51Po che da tte miFrancesco Landiniballata
52Cantano gl'angiolieti Santusanon.motet×
53Io vegio in gran doloNiccolò da Perugiaballata
54Chosi pensosoFrancesco Landinicaccia×
55Chi 'l ben sofri non poNiccolò da Perugiaballata
56Nell' aqua chiaraVincenzo da Riminicaccia
57Dappoy che 'l sole i dolçi raçiNiccolò da Perugiacaccia
58State su, donneNiccolò da Perugiacaccia×
59Itta se n'era starLorenzo da Firenzemadrigal
60No dispregiar vi[r]tuNiccolò da Perugiamadrigal
61Ita se n'era starVincenzo da Riminimadrigal
62Soto verdi frascettiGherardello da Firenzemadrigal
63Mentre che vagho visoNiccolò da Perugiaballata
64La neve e 'l ghiaccio e venti d'orienteGuglielmus de Franciamadrigal×
65I pregho amorFrancesco Landiniballata
66Come tradi[r] pe[n]sasti donna mayJacopo Pianelaio da Firenzeballata×
67Lasso, per mie fortuno post' amoreFrancesco Landiniballata
68Quanto piu charo fayFrancesco Landiniballata
69Per lla 'nfruença di Saturn e MarteFrancesco Landinimadrigal
70Se non ti piaquePaolo da Firenzemadrigal
70a[Povero pellegrin]Niccolò da Perugiamadrigalfragment, one untexted line only
71Donna, i prego amorFrancesco Landiniballata
72Benche partir da teNiccolò da Perugiaballata
73Posando l'onbra delle verde frondeanon.madrigal×
74Bench'i serva con feanon.ballata×
75Donna, tu pur i vecchianon.ballata×
76[D]iligenter advertant chantoresLorenzo da Firenzeantiphon×
77Ghaettaanon.estampie×
78Chominciamento di gioiaanon.estampie×
79Isabellaanon.estampie×
80Tre fontaneanon.estampie×
81Belichaanon.estampie×
82Gia perch'i pensoFrancesco Landiniballata
83Bench' amar, crudel donnaanon.ballata×
84Parlamentoanon.estampie×
85In proanon.estampie×
86Principio di virtuanon.estampie×
87Salterelloanon.saltarello×
88Trottoanon.trotto×
89Salterelloanon.saltarello×
90Salterelloanon.saltarello×
91Lamento di Tristano; La rottaanon.dance pair×
92La Manfredina; La rotta della Manfredinaanon.dance pair×
93Salterelloanon.saltarello×
94Dies iraeThomas de Celanosequence×
95Surgit Christusanon.sequence×
96In forma quasi tra 'l vegliarVincenzo da Riminicacciasame as #43
97I son c'a seguitarNiccolò da Perugiamadrigal
98Ciascum faccia per seNiccolò da Perugiacaccia
99Gi porte mi ebramantDonato da Firenzevirelai
100Con levrier e mastiniGherardello da Firenzemadrigal
101Tremando piu che fogliaRosso da Collegranamadrigal×
102Chosa non e ch'a se tanto mi tirianon.ballata×
103Non piu no piu diroNiccolò da Perugiaballata×
104El gra disioFrancesco Landiniballata
105Chançonete tedescheanon."canzonetta tedesca"×textless, appears to give the tenor of four German songs
106L'alma mia piagieFrancesco Landiniballata
107Nessun ponga sperançaFrancesco Landiniballata
108Or sus, vous dormétanon.virelai
109Segugi a cordeanon.caccia
110Comtenplar le gran coseFrancesco Landiniballata
111Dolcie signorieFrancesco Landiniballata
112La dolce vistaFrancesco Landiniballata
113Luce'a nel pratoFrancesco Landinimadrigal
114Per um verde boschettoBartolino da Padovaballata
115Kyrieanon.ordinary of the mass×
116Et in terraanon.ordinary of the mass×
117Patremanon.ordinary of the mass×
118Tibi Christe splendoranon.hymn×in a later hand
119[textless piece]anon.madrigal (?)×-

Selected discography

The following discs contain some of the instrumental dances found in this manuscript:

  • Landini e la musica fiorentina – Secolo XIV, Ensemble Micrologus, dir. Patrizia Bovi (Opus 111, OP 30 112)
  • Istampitta – Musiques de fête à la cour des Visconti en Italie à la fin du XIVe siècle, Alla Francesca, dir. Pierre Hamon, Carlo Rizzo (Opus 111, OP 30 325)
    Contains three salterelli, the Lamento di Tristano and the istampitte: Isabella, Tre Fontane, Principio di virtù and In Pro.
  • Landini and Italian Ars Nova, Alla Francesca, dir. Pierre Hamon (Opus 111, 60-9206).
    Contains the istampitta Belicha.
  • Tristan et Yseut, Alla Francesca, dir. Pierre Hamon and Brigitte Lesne (Zig-Zag Territoires, ZZT 051002), 2005.
    Contains the Lamento di Tristano.
  • Troubadours – Trouvères – Minstrels, Studio der frühen Musik, dir. Thomas Binkley (Teldec)
    Contains a salterello and the Chançonete tedesche Nbs 1 and 3.
  • Llibre Vermell – Robin et Marion, Studio der Frühen Musik, dir. Thomas Binkley (Teldec)
    Contains the trotto
  • Estampie: Instrumentalmusik des Mittelalters, Studio der Frühen Musik, participants in the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, dir. Thomas Binkley (EMI Electrola LP 1C 063-30 122), 1974; (reissued on CD 8 26491 2), 2000. Contains the Istanpitte Ghaetta, Parlamento, Belicha, Isabella, and Principio di Virtu, together with the Lamento di Tristano/Rotta, La Manfredina/Rotta, and one Salterello
  • The Art of Courtly Love, Early Music Consort of London, dir. David Munrow (Virgin Veritas)
    Contains the istampitta Tre Fontane
  • Early Music Festival, Early Music Consort of London, dir. David Munrow (London Records, 2 CD), 1998.
    Contains the istampitta Ghaetta, the Lamento di Tristano, La Manfredina, the trotto and a salterello.
  • Lamento di Tristano, Capella de Ministrers, dir. Carles Magraner (CDM), 2003.
    Contains the istampitte Belicha, Chominciamento di gioia, Ghaetta, In pro, Isabella and Parlamento, the Lamento di Tristano, La Manfredina and three saltarelli.
  • Narcisso speculando, Mala Punica, dir. Pedro Memelsdorff (Harmonia Mundi), 2002.
    Contains the istampitta Isabella
  • Danses, Danseryes, Musica Antiqua, dir. Christian Mendoze (Disques Pierre Verany)
    Contains the Lamento di Tristano, La Manfredina, the trotto and two saltarelli.
  • La Lira d'Esperia, Jordi Savall and Pedro Estevan (Auvidis Astrée).
    Contains the istampitta In pro, the Lamento di Tristano, La Manfredina, the trotto and two saltarelli.
  • Music for a Medieval Banquet, The Newberry Consort, dir. Mary Springfels (Harmonia Mundi)
    Contains the istampitte Cominciamento di gioia, Principio de virtù and the trotto
  • Futuro antico I, Angelo Branduardi (EMI), 1996.
    Contains a Salterello, the Lamento di Tristano and La Rotta
  • The Lady and the Unicorn, John Renbourn (Transatlantic Records), 1970.
    Contains adaptations of the Trotto, Saltarrello, Lamento Di Tristan and La Rotta.
  • Chominciamento di gioia: Virtuoso Dance Music from the Time of Boccaccio's Decamerone, Ensemble Unicorn (Naxos Records), 1994.
    Dedicated solely to this manuscript; contains adaptations of the Chominciamento di gioia, Lamento di Tristano, La Rotta, Belicha, Tre fontane, Parlamento, Principio di virtú, three salterelli, Trotto, Isabella, Ghaetta, In pro, and La Manfredina with its Rotta.
  • A Dance in the Garden of Mirth: Medieval Instrumental Music, The Dufay Collective (Chandos Records CD, CHAN 9320), 1994. Includes Ghaetta, Belicha, Isabella, Trotto, and two salterelli.

References

  1. Kurt von Fischer, Gianluca D’Agostino (2001). Sources, MS, §VIII. Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.50158. (subscription required).
  2. MADRIGALS, ballads, and motets by Italian composers, viz.: Jacobus de Bolonia. Johannes de Florentia. Franciscus de Florentia. Frater Bartolinus de Padova. Giovanni de Chascina. Ser Lorenzo, prete di Firenze Ser Gheradello. Bonavitus Corsini, pitor. Frate Andrea de ser Vi. Donato da Chascina. Frate Vincenzo. Nicholo del Proposto. Frate Guigliemo di S. Spirito. Francescho degli Organni. Don Paghollo. Rosso de Chollegrana. Vellum; ff. 88. early xvth cent. On f. 2 are the arms of Medici. Belonged in 1670 to Carlo di Tommaso Strozzi. Quarto. Western Manuscripts: Add MS 29987. British Library. Accessed February 2014.
  3. GB-Lbl Add. 29987: RISM description. Digital Image Archive of Mediaeval Music. Accessed February 2014.
  4. Gilbert Reaney (1965). The Manuscript London, British Museum, Additional 29987: A Facsimile Edition with an Introduction. Musicological studies and documents: 13. [s.l.]: American Institute of Musicology. Introduction previously published as: Gilbert Reaney (1958). The Manuscript London, British Museum, Additional 29987 (Lo). Musica Disciplina 12: 67–91 (subscription required). (page references are to 1965 edition)
  5. Giovanni Carsaniga (1994). An Additional Look at London Additional 29987. Musica Disciplina 48: 283–297. (subscription required)
  6. Timothy J. McGee (1990). "Dança amorosa: A Newly-Discovered Medieval Dance Pair", in Beyond the Moon: Festschrift for Luther Dittmer. Ottawa: Institute for Mediaeval Music. pp. 295306. ISBN 0931902657

Further reading

  • Richard H. Hoppin, La Música medieval. 2000. Madrid. Ed. Akal. ISBN 84-7600-683-7. (pp. 367–368)
  • Commentaries by Francis Biggi on the booklet of the CD Istampitta – Musiques de fête à la cour des Visconti by Alla Francesca.
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