The Polyphony Database
polyphonydatabase@gmail.com
About the database❯
PolyphonyDatabase.com is a detailed catalogue of early music sources designed to help musicians perform, academics study, and enthusiasts explore a vast and glorious repertoire quickly and easily. It aims to combine the practicality of CPDL with the academic rigour and ambition of the RISM census, to make use of similar projects where possible, and to directly combat the frustrations performing musicians have with all existing resources.
Its three main goals are:
- To assist performers, directors, and editors by cataloguing the contents of primary sources, source concordances, and basic information about how each piece of music can be performed.
- To provide a reliable starting point for academic research by linking to library catalogues, other existing databases, and facsimile images of early music manuscripts and prints.
- To provide a repository for properly sourced critical editions, performing scores, and recordings of as much of this music as possible, each carefully vetted for typesetting quality and accuracy, and made available for free download, so that this music might be discovered and appreciated by a wider audience.
The database was founded by Francis Bevan in 2014 as an outlet for his editing hobby and is regularly updated by him and a small team of enthusiasts. If you would like to contribute some cataloguing time, recordings or editions, submit corrections, commission an edition or just donate some cash, please get in touch with Francis via email: polyphonydatabase@gmail.com. Read more about the project's history at the 2018 Crowdfunder page.
The best way to help fund the project is to commission performing editions. New editions can be made quickly for as little as £10.
Understanding the clef images
A red clef means the voice is missing from this source. Where there are no concordances to fill in the gaps, this means the piece will require reconstruction.
A green clef means the voice is incomplete in this source. This might denote a fragment of a larger work, or a e.g. canonic voice that isn't written out in full.
A faded clef means much of the piece can be performed without this voice. For example, an extra 6th voice in the Agnus Dei of an otherwise 5vv Mass setting, or a short gimel in a big votive antiphon. Filtering by number of voices will exclude these clefs, while filtering by a specific voice combination will include them.
A blue clef denotes a voice that uses more than one clef in this source - this is particularly prevalent in earlier printed sources. We've estimated the larger clef on the left to be the most used to give an idea of voice distribution at a glance.
An X clef is used as a placeholder for voices we know are necessary, but haven't yet worked out which! This can be because there are no extant sources for a missing voice and no reconstruction has yet been attempted (it will normally become obvious which voice is missing once editing starts), or because we have catalogued a source from an incomplete facsimile that we know to be complete elsewhere.
Title |
Function(s) |
Composer |
# |
Sources |
Veni in hortum meum
|
|
Galli, Giuseppe
fl.1598
|
8 |
Sacrarum symphoniarum continuatio div... (RISM 1600/2)
Sacrarum symphoniarum continuatio diversorum excellentissimorum authorum quaternis, V. VI. VII. VIII. X. & XII. vocibus tam vivis, quam instrumentalibus accommodata
Nuremberg: Kauffmann, Paul, 1600
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#58
|
|
Attrib: Iosephi Galli |
|
|
Veni in hortum meum
|
|
Vincentius, Caspar
c.1580–1624
|
6 |
|
Veni in hortum meum
|
|
Il Verso, Antonio
1565–1621
|
4 |
Mottecta quae partim ternis, partim q... (RISM I2)
Mottecta quae partim ternis, partim quaternis, alia quinis, alia senis concinuntur vocibus, quibus est addita operum divisio pro organo, liber primus
Palermo: Maringo, Giovanni Battista, 1606
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#7
|
|
Attrib: Antonii Versi |
|
|
Veni in hortum meum
Pothárn Imre
|
|
Lassus, Orlande de
c.1532–1594
|
5 |
(A-Wn 19189-GF)
Vienna, c.1560-c.1599
(Choirbook, MS)
#29
|
|
Attrib: Horlando |
|
(D-Sl 1)
Stuttgart: Chamerhueber, Johann, c.1562-1563
(Choirbook, MS)
#8
|
|
Attrib: Orlandus Lassus |
|
Sacrae cantiones quinque vocum, tum v... (RISM L768)
Sacrae cantiones quinque vocum, tum viva voce, tum omnis generis instrumentis cantatu commodissimae. Iam primum in lucem editae
Nuremberg: Berg, Johann and Neuber, Ulrich, 1562
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#7
|
|
Attrib: Orlando di Lassus |
|
Sacrae cantiones quinque vocum, tum v... (RISM L779)
Sacrae cantiones quinque vocum, tum viva voce, tum omnis generis instrumentis cantatu commodissimae iam primum in lucem editae
Nuremberg: Neuber, Ulrich and Berg, Johann, 1564
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#7
|
|
Attrib: Orlando di Lassus |
|
(D-AN VI g 14)
Ansbach, 1565
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#7
|
|
Attrib: Orlandus |
|
Viginti quinque sacrae cantiones quin... (RISM L832)
Viginti quinque sacrae cantiones quinque vocum, tum viva voce, tum omnis generis instrumentis cantatu commodissimae
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Dietrich, 1570
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#7
|
|
Attrib: Orlando di Lassus |
|
Tertius liber modulorum quinis vocibu... (RISM L859)
Tertius liber modulorum quinis vocibus constantium
Paris: Ballard, Robert (i) and Le Roy, Adrian, 1573
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#10
|
|
Attrib: Orlando Lassvsio |
|
Theatri musici selectissimas Orlandi ... (RISM 1580/4)
Theatri musici selectissimas Orlandi de Lassus aliorumque praestantissimorum musicorum cantiones sacras, quatuor, quinque & plurimum vocum, repraesentantis Liber secundus
Geneva, 1580
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#23
|
|
Attrib: Orlande |
|
Dow partbooks (GB-Och 984-988)
Oxford: Baldwin, John and Dow, Robert, c.1581-c.1588
(Partbook, MS)
#18
|
|
Attrib: Orlando |
|
Fasciculi aliquot sacrarum cantionum ... (RISM L937)
Fasciculi aliquot sacrarum cantionum cum quatuor, quinque, sex & octo vocibus, antea quidem separatim excusi, nunc vero auctoris consensu in unum corpus redacti
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Katharina, 1582
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#28
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi Lassi |
|
Sacrae cantiones, vulgo motecta appel... (RISM L961)
Sacrae cantiones, vulgo motecta appellatae, quinque vocum, tum viva voce, tum omnis generis instrumentis cantatu commodissimae
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Katharina, 1586
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#7
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi Lassi |
|
Fasciculi aliquot sacrarum cantionum ... (RISM L991)
Fasciculi aliquot sacrarum cantionum cum quatuor, quinque, sex 7 octo vocibus, antea quidem separatim excusi, nunc vero auctoris consensu in unum corpus redacti
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Katharina, 1589
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#28
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi Lassi |
|
(US-NYp Drexel 4180-4185)
New York: Merro, John, 1600-1650
(Partbook, MS)
#130
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
Magnum opus musicum ... Complectens o... (RISM L1019)
Magnum opus musicum ... Complectens omnes cantiones quas motetas vulgo vocant, tam antea editas quam hactenus nondum publicatas II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. IIX. IX. X. XII. vocum a Ferdinando serenissimi bavariae ducis maximiliani musicorum praefecto, & Rudolpho, eidem Principi ab Organis; Authoris filiis summo studio collectum, & impensis eorundem Typis mandatum
Munich: Heinrich, Nikolaus, 1604
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#197
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi de Lasso |
|
Sambrook book (US-NYp Drexel 4302)
London: Tregian, Francis (ii), 1613-1619
(Score, MS)
RISM
#3
|
|
Attrib: Orlando di Lasso |
|
Motetes a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (E-VAcp 20)
Valencia, 1641
(Partbook, MS)
#6
|
|
Attrib: Orlando di lassus |
|
|
Veni in hortum meum
|
|
Vernizzi, Ottavio
1569–1649
|
6 |
Motectorum specimen, quae quinque, se... (RISM V1292)
Motectorum specimen, quae quinque, sex, septem, octo, novem, et decem vocibus concinuntur cum parte organi pro duplicis chori motectis. Liber Primus
Venice: Amadino, Ricciardo, 1603
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#10
|
|
Attrib: Octavii Vernitii Bononiensis |
|
|
Veni in hortum meum
|
|
Cavalieri, Paolo
c.1560–1613
|
8 |
|
Veni in hortum meum - Comedi favum cum melle meo
|
|
Wanning, Johannes
1537–1603
|
6 |
Sacrarum cantionum quinque, sex, sept... (RISM W203)
Sacrarum cantionum quinque, sex, septem et octo vocibus compositarum, et tum vivae voci tum musicis instrumentis aptatarum
Nuremberg: Berg, Johann and Gerlach, Katharina, 1580
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#14
|
|
Attrib: Johannem VVanningvm Campensem |
|
|
Veni in hortum meum - Comedi favum cum melle meo
|
|
Clemens non Papa, Jacobus
c.1510–1555/1556
|
5 |
Sacrarum cantionum vulgo hodie moteta... (RISM 1555/7)
Sacrarum cantionum vulgo hodie moteta vocant quinque et sex vocum ad veram harmoniam concentumque ab optimis quibusque musicis in philomusorum gratiam compositarum. Liber terius
Antwerp: Waelrant, Hubert and Laet, Jean de, 1555
(Partbook, Print)
#2
|
|
Attrib: Clemens non Papa |
|
Secunda pars magni operis musici cont... (RISM 1559/1)
Secunda pars magni operis musici continens clarissimorum symphonistarum tam veterum quam recentiorum, praecipe vero Clementis non Papae, Carmina elegantissima quinque vocum
Nuremberg: Berg, Johann and Neuber, Ulrich, 1559
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#50
|
|
Attrib: Ia. Clemens non Papa |
|
|
Veni in hortum meum - In lectulo meo
|
|
Hesdin, Nicolle des Celliers de
d.1538
|
4 |
Primus liber cum quatuor vocibus. Mot... (RISM 1532/10)
Primus liber cum quatuor vocibus. Motetti del fiore
Lyon: Moderne, Jacques, 1532
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#30
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
Liber quartus. xxix. musicales quatuo... (RISM 1534/6)
Liber quartus. xxix. musicales quatuor vel quinque parium vocum modulos habet
Paris: Attaingnant, Pierre, 1534
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#17
|
|
Attrib: Hesdin |
|
(D-Mu Cim.44i 1-4)
Munich, 1536-1540
(Partbook, MS)
#63
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
Selectissimarum mutetarum partim quin... (RISM 1540/6)
Selectissimarum mutetarum partim quinque partim quatuor vocum tomus primus
Nuremberg: Petreius, Johann, 1540
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#48
|
|
Attrib: Incerti authoris |
|
|
Veni in hortum meum - In lectulo meo
|
|
Crecquillon, Thomas
c.1505–1557
|
5 |
|
Veni Jesu rex optime
|
|
Dering, Richard
c.1580–1630
|
6 |
Cantica sacra ad melodiam madrigalium... (RISM D1319)
Cantica sacra ad melodiam madrigalium elaborata senis vocibus, cum basso continuo ad organum
Antwerp: Phalèse the Younger, Pierre, 1618
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#17
|
|
Attrib: Richardo Diringo |
|
|
Veni maxime Dux
|
|
Cleve, Johannes de
1528–1582
|
8 |
Cantiones seu harmoniae sacrae (quas ... (RISM C3205)
Cantiones seu harmoniae sacrae (quas vulgo Moteta vocant) Quatuor, Quinque, Sex, Septem, Octo, & Decem vocum, iam primum in publicum emissae
Augsburg: Ulhart, Philipp, 1579
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#24
|
|
Attrib: Ioanne de Cleve |
Symphonia Rudolpho Secundo, Romanorum Imperatori semper August &c. Viennam redeunti, & triumphalem arcum subeunti, Senatus Viennens; autoritate & iussu ab editiore eius arcus loco decantata |
|
Veni O Jesu mi
|
|
Gabrieli, Andrea
1532/1533–1585
Molinaro, Simone
c.1570–after 1633
|
6 |
|
Veni praecelsa domina
|
|
Isaac, Heinrich
c.1450–1517
|
4 |
|
Veni puella nostro
|
|
Praetorius, Hieronymus
1560–1629
|
6 |
Cantiones Variae V. VI. VII. IIX. X. ... (RISM P5341)
Cantiones Variae V. VI. VII. IIX. X. XII. XVI. XX. vocum quae sunt Operum musicorum Tomus Quartus Cui in gratiam Musicae peritorum additum habes Bassum Continuum
Hamburg: Carstens, Heinrich, 1618
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#8
|
|
Attrib: Hieronymo Praetorio sen. |
|
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Ortiz, Diego
c.1510–c.1570
|
5 |
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Paminger, Leonhard
1495–1567
|
4 |
Primus tomus ecclesiasticarum cantion... (RISM P828)
Primus tomus ecclesiasticarum cantionum, quatuor, quinque, sex, et plurium vocum, a prima dominica adventus, usque ad passionem Domini et salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Dietrich, 1573
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#29
|
|
Attrib: Leonartum Pamingerum |
|
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Schröter, Leonhart
c.1532–c.1601
|
5 |
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Schröter, Leonhart
c.1532–c.1601
|
6 |
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Schröter, Leonhart
c.1532–c.1601
|
4 |
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
(Hymn) |
Anon
|
5 |
(D-Mbs 43)
c.1550
(Choirbook, MS)
#3
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
Hymn; Canon Tenor ex Discanto |
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Handl, Jacob (Gallus)
1550–1591
|
5 |
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Anon
|
5 |
(D-Sl 24)
Stuttgart: Peuschel, Nikolaus and Chamerhueber, Johann, 1557
(Choirbook, MS)
#3
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Anon
|
5 |
(D-Sl 24)
Stuttgart: Peuschel, Nikolaus and Chamerhueber, Johann, 1557
(Choirbook, MS)
#4
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
|
Veni redemptor gentium
|
|
Meiland, Jacob
1542–1577
|
4 |
(D-AN VI g 33)
Ansbach: Lindner, Friedrich, c.1564-1568
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#1
|
|
Attrib: Iac: Meilandus |
|
|