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 |
Sum tuus in vita
|
|
Bauldeweyn, Noel
fl.1509–1513
|
5 |
|
Sum tuus in vita - Cur et enim moriens - Ergo mihi certam praestes
|
|
Paminger, Leonhard
1495–1567
|
4 |
Thesauri Musici tomus quintus et ulti... (RISM 1564/5)
Thesauri Musici tomus quintus et ultimus continens sacras harmonias quatuor vocibus compositas
Nuremberg: Berg, Johann and Neuber, Ulrich, 1564
(Partbook, Print/MS)
RISM
#23
|
|
Attrib: Leon. Pamminger |
|
Secundus tomus ecclesiasticarum canti... (RISM P829)
Secundus tomus ecclesiasticarum cantionum, quatuor, quinque, sex, et plurium vocum, a passionem Domini et salvatoris nostri Jesu Christiu usque ad primam Dominicam post Festum S. Trinitatis
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Dietrich, 1573
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#48
|
|
Attrib: Leonartum Pamingerum |
|
|
Sum tuus in vita - Cur rigido latuit
|
|
Crecquillon, Thomas
c.1505–1557
|
4 |
|
S'una fede amorosa
|
|
Lassus, Orlande de
c.1532–1594
|
8 |
Sex cantiones latinae quatuor, adiunc... (RISM L860)
Sex cantiones latinae quatuor, adiuncto dialogo octo vocum. Sechs teutsche Lieder mit vier, sampt einem Dialogo mit 8. stimmen. Six chanson françoises nouvelles a quatre voix, avecq un dialogue a huit. Sei madrigali nuovi a quatro, con un dialogo a otto voci. ["Viersprachendruck"]
Munich: Berg, Adam, 1573
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#28
|
|
Attrib: Orlandus di Lassus |
|
|
S'un sguardo un fa beato
|
|
Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da
c.1525–1594
|
4 |
|
Sunt laudes sunt prisca Ducum - Illis cura fuit
|
|
Costa, Gasparo
fl.1580–1590
|
5 |
|
Sunt pia sceptra Deo sunt connubialia
|
|
Dulichius, Philipp
1562–1631
|
6 |
|
Sunt qui divitiis
|
|
Coclico, Adrianus Petit
1499/1500–1562
|
4 |
Musica reservata consolationes piae e... (RISM C3258)
Musica reservata consolationes piae ex psalmis Davidicis ornatae suavissimis concentibus musicis, a peritissimo musico Adriano Petit Coclico Discipulo Iosquini de Pratis. Cantionum quatuor vocum
Nuremberg: Berg, Johann, 1552
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#27
|
|
Attrib: Adriano Petit Coclico |
|
|
Superbi colli - Cosi se ben col tempo
|
|
Wert, Giaches de
1535–1596
|
5 |
|
Super cathedram Moysi - Vos autem nolite vocari rabi
|
|
Conflicting attributions
|
4 |
Symphonia quatuor modulata vocibus ex... (RISM 1543/4)
Symphonia quatuor modulata vocibus excellentissimi musici Ioannis Galli alias Chroi Ferrariae Magistri, quae vulgo (motecta Metre Iehan) nominantur, nuper in lucem edita
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1543
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#4
|
|
Attrib: Mestre Iehan |
|
Cantiones sacrae, quatuor vocum, quae... (RISM B880)
Cantiones sacrae, quatuor vocum, quae vulgo Muteta vocantur
Augsburg: Ulhart, Philipp, 1560
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#9
|
|
Attrib: Manfredo Barbarino Lupo |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
Pothárn Imre (Down a minor third)
Pothárn Imre (Down a fourth)
Pothárn Imre (Down a tone)
Pothárn Imre
|
|
Lassus, Orlande de
c.1532–1594
|
4 |
Sacrae cantiones antehac nunquam nec ... (RISM L955)
Sacrae cantiones antehac nunquam nec visae nec typis uspiam excusae quatuor vocum. Recens singulari industria compositae, & in lucem sine menda editae
Munich: Berg, Adam, 1585
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#13
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi Lassi |
|
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
#103
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi de Lasso |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
Nancho Alvarez
Ensemble Plus Ultra
|
|
Victoria, Tomás Luis de
1548–1611
|
8 |
Liber primus qui missas, psalmos, Mag... (RISM V1427)
Liber primus qui missas, psalmos, Magnificat ad Virginem Dei Matrem salutationes, aliaque complectitur
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1576
(Choirbook, Print)
RISM
#27
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Ludovici de Victoria |
|
Thomae Ludovici de Victoria Abulenis ... (RISM V1422)
Thomae Ludovici de Victoria Abulenis motecta quae partim quaternis Partim, Quinis, Alia, Senis, Alia, Octonis, Alia,
Duodenis, Vocibus, Concinuntur...
Rome: Gardano, Alessandro, 1583
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#52
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Lvdovici de Victoria |
|
Motecta festorum totius anni cum Comm... (RISM V1433)
Motecta festorum totius anni cum Communi sanctorum, quae partim senis, partim quinis, partim quaternis, alia octonis vocibus concinuntur
Rome: Basa, Domenico and Gardano, Alessandro, 1585
(Choirbook, Print)
RISM
#37
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Lvdovici a Victoria |
|
Motecta quae partim quaternis, partim... (RISM V1423)
Motecta quae partim quaternis, partim quinis, alia senis, alia octonis, alia duodenis vocibus concinuntur
Milan: Tini, Francesco and Tini, Simone, 1589
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#52
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Lvdovici de Victoria |
|
Cantiones sacrae Thomae Ludovici a Vi... (RISM V1424)
Cantiones sacrae Thomae Ludovici a Victoria abulensis, musici suavissimi, quatuor, quinque, sex, octo, et duodecim vocum, nunquam ante hac Germania excusae.
Dillingen: Mayer, Johann, 1589
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#52
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Lvdovici a Victoria Abulensis |
|
(V-CVbav Capp.Sist. 29)
Rome: Orfeo, Luca, 1592
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#12
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
Missae Magnificat, Motecta Psalmi, & ... (RISM V1435)
Missae Magnificat, Motecta Psalmi, & ali quam plurima Quae partim Octonis, alia Nonis, alia Duodenis vocibus concinuntur
Madrid: Flandrus, Joannes, 1600
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#23
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Lvdovici de Victoria Abulensis |
|
Motecta que partim, quaternis, partim... (RISM V1425)
Motecta que partim, quaternis, partim quinis, alia senis, alia octonis, alia Duodenis vocibus in omnibus solemnitatibus per totum annum, concinuntur, Noviter recognita & impressa
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1603
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#52
|
|
Attrib: Tomae Lvdovici de Victoria Aulensis |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Clavijo, Bernardo
c.1545–1626
|
8 |
Motecta ad canendum tam cum quattuor,... (RISM C2641)
Motecta ad canendum tam cum quattuor, quinque, sex, & octo vocibus, quam cum instrumentis composita
Rome: Gardano, Alessandro, 1588
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#17
|
|
Attrib: Clavijo |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Fage, Jean de la
fl.c.1518–1530
|
5 |
Secundus liber cum quinque vocibus (RISM 1532/9)
Lyon: Moderne, Jacques, 1532
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#6
|
|
Attrib: La Fage |
|
Liber tertius: viginti musicales quin... (RISM 1534/5)
Liber tertius: viginti musicales quinque, sex, vel octo vocum motetos habet
Paris: Attaingnant, Pierre, 1534
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#9
|
|
Attrib: De la fage |
|
Tomus secundus psalmorum selectorum q... (RISM 1539/9)
Tomus secundus psalmorum selectorum quatuor et quinque vocum
Nuremberg: Petreius, Johann, 1539
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#37
|
|
Attrib: La Fage |
Psalm 136 |
|
Super flumina Babylonis
Girton College, Cambridge
|
|
Ingegneri, Marco Antonio
c.1535–1592
|
8 |
Liber sacrarum cantionum quae ad sept... (RISM I47)
Liber sacrarum cantionum quae ad septem, octo, novem, decem, duodecim, sexdecim voces choris & coniunctis & separatis commode etiam cum varijs musicis Instrumentis concini possunt
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1589
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#15
|
|
Attrib: Marci Antonii Ingignerii |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Bonhomme, Pierre
c.1555–1617
|
8 |
Melodiae sacrae, quas vulgo motectas ... (RISM B3469)
Melodiae sacrae, quas vulgo motectas appellant, iam noviter quinis, senis, octonis et novenis suavissimis vocibus concinnatae, et ad usum cum harmonicarum vocalium, tum omnium generum instrumentorum Musicalium convenienter accommodatae
Frankfurt: Stein, Nikolaus, 1603
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#28
|
|
Attrib: D. Petro Bonhomio |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
The Cardinall's Musick
|
|
Monte, Philippe de
1521–1603
|
8 |
|
Super flumina Babylonis
Francis Bevan (ATBarB)
|
|
Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da
c.1525–1594
|
4 |
(E-SE 6)
(Choirbook, MS)
#39
|
|
Attrib: Palestina |
|
Motettorum quatuor vocibus, liber sec... (RISM P733a)
Motettorum quatuor vocibus, liber secundus
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1588
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#3
|
|
Attrib: Ioan. Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
Motettorum quatuor vocibus. Liber sec... (RISM P735)
Motettorum quatuor vocibus. Liber secundus
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1596
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#3
|
|
Attrib: Ioan Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
Motectorum quatuor vocibus partim ple... (RISM P736)
Motectorum quatuor vocibus partim plena voce et partim paribus vocibus. Liber secundus. Nunc denuo in lucem aeditus
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1604
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#3
|
|
Attrib: Ioan Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
Motettorum quatuor vocibus liber secu... (I-Bc T.265)
Motettorum quatuor vocibus liber secundus
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1606
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#3
|
|
Attrib: Ioan Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
(I-Rli P.25)
1747-1754
(Score, MS)
RISM
#11
|
|
Attrib: Palestrina |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Montemayor, Cristoforo
fl.1592
|
8 |
Liber primus cum octo sex et quinque ... (I-Rn 135)
Liber primus cum octo sex et quinque et quatuor vocibus composita per Christofory montemayor Hispanum Anno Dni 1593 ... Vesperi cum otto Della Madonna ... 1592
Rome, 1592-1593
(Choirbook, MS)
#27
|
|
Attrib: Cristoforo Montemayor |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Anon
|
4 |
(P-Cug 12)
(Choirbook, MS)
#66
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
(P-Cug 32)
Coimbra, c.1540-1555
(Choirbook, MS)
#31
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
Francis Bevan (ATTBarB)
|
|
Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da
c.1525–1594
|
5 |
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Giovannelli, Ruggiero
c.1560–1625
|
8 |
|
Super flumina Babylonis
quarti toni
|
|
Anon
|
4 |
(P-AR 32)
c.1610-1620
(Choirbook, MS)
#32
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Agazzari, Agostino
c.1580–1642
|
8 |
|
Super flumina Babylonis
|
|
Handl, Jacob (Gallus)
1550–1591
|
4 |
|