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 |
Absalon fili mi
|
|
Anon
|
4 |
Symphoniae iucundae atque adeo breves... (RISM 1538/8)
Symphoniae iucundae atque adeo breves quatuor vocum, ab optimis quibusque musicis compositae, ac iuxta ordinem Tonorum dispositae, quas vulgo mutetas appellare solemus, numero quinquaginta duo
Wittenberg: Rhau, Georg, 1538
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#19
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
|
Absalon fili mi
|
|
Josquin Desprez
c.1450–1521
|
4 |
(GB-Lbl Royal-8-G-vii)
London: Alamire, Petrus, c.1513-c.1525
(Choirbook, MS)
#32
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
Selectissimae necnon familiarissimae ... (RISM 1540/7)
Selectissimae necnon familiarissimae cantiones, ultra centum
Augsburg: Kriesstein, Melchior and Salminger, Sigmund, 1540
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#24
|
|
Attrib: Iosquin |
|
Tertia pars magni operis musici, cont... (RISM 1559/2)
Tertia pars magni operis musici, continens clarissimorum symphonistarum tam veterum quàm recentiorum, praecipue vero Clementis non Papae, Carmina elegantissima. Quatuor vocum
Nuremberg: Berg, Johann and Neuber, Ulrich, 1559
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#10
|
|
Attrib: Iosquin de Prees |
|
|
Absolve Domine
|
|
Vasquez, Juan
c.1500–c.1560
|
4 |
Agenda defunctorum (RISM V996)
Montedosca: Montedosca, Martin de, 1556
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#22
|
|
Attrib: Ioanes Vasquez |
|
|
Absolve Domine
|
|
Anon
|
4 |
(E-SI 21)
Santo Domingo de Silos
(Choirbook, MS)
#29
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
|
Absolve Domine animas eorum
|
(Responsory), Office for the dead |
Anon
|
4 |
(D-Mbs 2747)
(Choirbook, MS)
#12
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
Officium defunctorum: Matins, second nocturn - responsory, lectio I |
|
Absolve quaesumus Domine
|
|
Anon
|
8 |
|
Absorbeat quaeso
Pothárn Imre
|
|
Monte, Philippe de
1521–1603
|
6 |
|
Absterge Domine
Tallis Scholars
|
|
Tallis, Thomas
c.1505–1585
|
5 |
Hamond partbooks (GB-Lbl Add. 30480–4)
London, c.1560-c.1590
(Partbook, MS)
#27
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
as Wipe away my sins |
Sadler partbooks (GB-Ob 1-5)
Oxford: Sadler, John, c.1565-1585
(Partbook, MS)
#35
|
|
Attrib: Thomas Tallis |
|
(GB-Lbl Add. 22597)
London, c.1565-c.1585
(Partbook, MS)
#35
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
Textless, titled 'Discomfit them, O Lord' |
Cantiones quae ab argumento sacrae vo... (RISM 1575/3)
Cantiones quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur quinque et sex partim
London: Vautrollier, Thomas, 1575
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#2
|
|
Attrib: T. Tallis |
|
(GB-Ob Tenbury 1464)
Oxford, c.1575
(Partbook, MS)
#48
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallys |
|
A booke of In nomines & other solfain... (GB-Lbl Add. 31390)
A booke of In nomines & other solfainge songes of 5,6,7,and 8 parts for voyces or Instrumentes
London: Woodcock, Clement, c.1578
(Tablebook, MS)
#108
|
|
Attrib: mr Tallis |
|
Willmott MS (GB-Ob MS. Mus. c. 784)
Oxford: Sadler, John, 1591
(Partbook, MS)
#23
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
(US-NYp Drexel 4180-4185)
New York: Merro, John, 1600-1650
(Partbook, MS)
#95
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallis |
|
(US-NYp Drexel 4180-4185)
New York: Merro, John, 1600-1650
(Partbook, MS)
#39
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallis |
as Wipe away my sins |
Chirk Castle Partbooks (US-NYp Mus. Res. *MNZ (Chirk) [1-4])
Wrexham, c.1618-c.1633
(Partbook, MS)
RISM
#40
|
|
Attrib: mr Thomas Tallis |
as Discomfort them, O Lord |
Dunnington-Jefferson Manuscript (GB-Ym M29S)
c.1632
(Partbook, MS)
#55
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallis |
as Forgive me Lord my sin |
The first book of selected church mus... (RISM 1641/5)
The first book of selected church musick, consisting of services and anthems, such as are now used in the cathedrall, and collegiat churches of this kingdome. Never before printed. Whereby such bookes as were heretofore with much difficulty and charges, transcribed for the use of the quire, are now to the saving of much labour and expence, publisht for the generall good of all such as shall desire them either for publick or private exercise. Collected out of divers approved authors, by Iohn Barnard one of the minor cannons of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul, London.
London: Griffin, Edward and Barnard, John, 1641
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#55
|
|
Attrib: Tho. Tallis |
as Wipe away my sins |
|
Absterge Domine
|
|
Anon
|
5 |
|
Absterget Deus omnem lacrymam
|
Comm. Martyrs |
Handl, Jacob (Gallus)
1550–1591
|
6 |
Quartus tomus musici operis harmoniar... (RISM H1985)
Quartus tomus musici operis harmoniarum quatuor, quinque, sex, octo et plurium vicum, quae ex sancto catholicae ecclesiae usu ita sunt dispositae, ut omni tempore inservire queant
Prague: Nigrinus, Georg, 1590
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#49
|
|
Attrib: Iacobo Hándl |
|
|
Absterget Deus omnem lacrymam
Francis Bevan (SATB)
|
Comm. Martyrs |
Paminger, Leonhard
1495–1567
|
4 |
Tertius tomus ecclesiasticarum cantio... (RISM P830)
Tertius tomus ecclesiasticarum cantionum, quatuor, quinque, sex, et plurium vocum, a prima dominica post festum S. Trrinitatis, usque ad primam Dominicam Adventus Domini et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi. His commune de Sanctis Ecclesiae Dei, et quaedam Fragmenta ex canticis Canticorum salomonis, accesserunt.
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Dietrich and Gerlach, Katharina, 1576
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#208
|
|
Attrib: Leonarto Pamingero |
|
|
Absterget Deus omnem lacrymam
|
Comm. Martyrs |
Paminger, Balthasar
c.1523–1546
|
4 |
Tertius tomus ecclesiasticarum cantio... (RISM P830)
Tertius tomus ecclesiasticarum cantionum, quatuor, quinque, sex, et plurium vocum, a prima dominica post festum S. Trrinitatis, usque ad primam Dominicam Adventus Domini et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi. His commune de Sanctis Ecclesiae Dei, et quaedam Fragmenta ex canticis Canticorum salomonis, accesserunt.
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Dietrich and Gerlach, Katharina, 1576
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#209
|
|
Attrib: Balthasar Paminger |
|
|
Absterget Deus omnem lacrymam
|
Comm. Martyrs |
Paminger, Sigismund
1539–1571
|
4 |
Tertius tomus ecclesiasticarum cantio... (RISM P830)
Tertius tomus ecclesiasticarum cantionum, quatuor, quinque, sex, et plurium vocum, a prima dominica post festum S. Trrinitatis, usque ad primam Dominicam Adventus Domini et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi. His commune de Sanctis Ecclesiae Dei, et quaedam Fragmenta ex canticis Canticorum salomonis, accesserunt.
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Dietrich and Gerlach, Katharina, 1576
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#210
|
|
Attrib: Sigismundus Paminger |
|
|
Absterget Deus omnem lacrymam
|
Comm. Martyrs |
Porta, Costanzo
c.1528–1601
|
6 |
|
Absterget Deus omnem lacrymam - Non esurient
|
Comm. Martyrs |
Vecchi, Orfeo
c.1551–1603
|
4 |
|
Abus sert a conduire en court
|
|
Anon
|
3 |
|
Acabarseam mis plazeres
|
|
Anon
|
3 |
|
A caena calice accepto
|
|
Kessler, Wendelin
fl.1572–1580
|
5 |
Selectae aliquot et omnibus fere musi... (RISM K492)
Selectae aliquot et omnibus fere musicalium instrumentorum generibus accommodatissimae cantiones super evangelia, quae diebus dominicis et praecipuis sanctorum festis, ab adventu resurrectionem usque Christi, solent tractari
Wittenberg: Lehmann, Zacharias, 1582
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#32
|
|
Attrib: Wwendelino Kesslero Cantharo |
|
|
A caso un giorno - Vaga d'udir - Con quel poco di spirto
|
|
Wert, Giaches de
1535–1596
|
5 |
|
Accedens tentator dixit Jesu
|
|
Dulichius, Philipp
1562–1631
|
5 |
Novum opus musicum duarum partium, co... (RISM D3686)
Novum opus musicum duarum partium, continens dicta insigniora ex evangeliis dierum cum dominicorum, tum festorum praecipuorum totius anni
Stettin: Myliander, Stephan, 1599
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#20
|
|
Attrib: Philippo Dulichio |
Dominica 1 Quadragesimae |
|
Accedentes servi ad patrem - At ille dixit non - Colligite primum zizania
|
|
Vulpius, Melchior
c.1570–1615
|
6 |
|
Accenda i cori a l'arme - Che nel mezzo del fumo
|
|
Wert, Giaches de
1535–1596
|
6 |
|
Accepit autem omnes timor
|
|
Faber, Benedikt
|
6 |
|
Accepit ergo Jesus panes
|
|
Cardoso, Manuel
1566–1650
|
5 |
Livro de varios motetes, officio da s... (RISM C1042)
Livro de varios motetes, officio da semana santa e outras cousas
Lisbon: Craesbeeck, Laurenco, 1648
(Choirbook, Print)
RISM
#18
|
|
Attrib: Fr. Manoel Cardoso |
|
|
Accepit Jesus calicem
Pothárn Imre (chiavette)
Pothárn Imre (down a fourth)
|
Corpus Christi |
Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da
c.1525–1594
|
6 |
Bourdenay codex (F-Pn 851)
Paris, c.1570-c.1599
(Score, MS)
#342
|
|
Attrib: Gianetto Palestrina |
|
Motettorum quae partim quinis, partim... (RISM P711)
Motettorum quae partim quinis, partim senis, partim octonis vocibus concinantur, Liber Tertius nunc primum in lucem aeditus
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1575
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#25
|
|
Attrib: Iohannis Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
Motettorum quae partim quinis partim ... (RISM P712)
Motettorum quae partim quinis partim senis, partim octonis vocibus concinantur, liber tertius
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1581
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#25
|
|
Attrib: Iohannis Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
Liber tertius ... Motectorum quae par... (RISM P715)
Liber tertius ... Motectorum quae partim quinis, partim senis, partim octonis vocibus concinuntur
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1594
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#25
|
|
Attrib: Ioan: Petri Aloysii Praenestini |
|
|