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 |
Domine da nobis auxilium de tribulatione - Tibi subiecta sit amica mea
|
|
Canis, Cornelius
c.1500-1510–1561
|
4 |
|
Domine da nobis auxilium de tribulatione - Tibi subiecta sit amica mea
|
|
Gallus, Joannes (Jean le Cocq)
fl.1514–1543
|
4 |
|
Domine da nobis auxilium de tribulatione - Tibi subiecta sit amica mea
|
|
Crecquillon, Thomas
c.1505–1557
|
6 |
(D-Mbs 59)
Wircker, Johann, c.1550-c.1570
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#2
|
|
Attrib: Thomas Crequilon |
|
(D-Dl Mus.1-D-3)
Dresden, 1550-1560
(Partbook, MS)
RISM
#35
|
|
Attrib: Tho Krequillon |
|
Tomus quartus psalmorum selectorum qu... (RISM 1554/11)
Tomus quartus psalmorum selectorum quatuor et plurium vocum
Nuremberg: Berg, Adam and Neuber, Ulrich, 1554
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#18
|
|
Attrib: Thomas Crequillon |
|
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)
#10
|
|
Attrib: Cricquillon |
|
Opus sacrarum cantionum (quas vulgo m... (RISM C4410)
Opus sacrarum cantionum (quas vulgo moteta vocant)
Leuven: Phalèse the Elder, Pierre, 1576
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#60
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Criquillon |
|
THESAVRVS MOTETARVM. Newerleßner zwey... (RISM 1589/17)
THESAVRVS MOTETARVM. Newerleßner zwey vnd zweintzig herrlicher Moteten, Rechte Kunst Stück: der aller berhümbsten Componisten, in der Ordnung wie sie nach einander gelebt: Vnd jede Moteten zu ihrem gewissen Modo gesetzt. Mit sonderm hohen fleiß vnd müh zusammen getragen, vnd in diese breuchige Tabulatur gebracht
Strasbourg: Jobin, Bernhard and Paix, Jakob, 1589
(Tablature, Print)
RISM
#11
|
|
Attrib: Thom. Crequilon |
|
(GB-CF D/DP Z6/1)
Chelmsford, c.1590
(Partbook, MS)
RISM
#64
|
|
Attrib: Crequillon |
|
|
Domine deduc me in iustitia tua
Pothárn Imre
|
|
Monte, Philippe de
1521–1603
|
5 |
|
Domine deduc me in iustitia tua - Sepulchrum patens
Pothárn Imre
Pothárn Imre (SAATBB)
|
|
Lassus, Orlande de
c.1532–1594
|
6 |
Sacrae cantiones (vulgo motecta appel... (RISM L796)
Sacrae cantiones (vulgo motecta appellatae) sex et octo vocum, tum viva voce, tum omnis generis instrumentis cantatu commodissimae. Liber quartus.
Venice: Gardano, Antonio, 1566
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#3
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi Lassi |
|
Selectissimae cantiones, quas vulgo m... (RISM L815)
Selectissimae cantiones, quas vulgo motetas vocant, partim omnino novae, partim nusquam in Germania excusae, sex & pluribus vocibus compositae per excellentissimum Musicum
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Dietrich, 1568
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#5
|
|
Attrib: Orlandum di Lassus |
|
Selectissimae cantiones, quas vulgo m... (RISM L915)
Selectissimae cantiones, quas vulgo motetas vocant, partim omnino novae, partim nusquam in Germania excusa, sex & pluribus vocibus compositae
Nuremberg: Gerlach, Katharina and Berg, Johann, 1579
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#5
|
|
Attrib: Orlandum di Lassus |
|
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
#425
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi de Lasso |
|
|
Domine demonstrasti mihi - Venite et eradamus eum
|
|
Crecquillon, Thomas
c.1505–1557
|
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)
#1
|
|
Attrib: Cricquillon |
|
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
#93
|
|
Attrib: Thomas Crecqilon |
|
Opus sacrarum cantionum (quas vulgo m... (RISM C4410)
Opus sacrarum cantionum (quas vulgo moteta vocant)
Leuven: Phalèse the Elder, Pierre, 1576
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#50
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Criquillon |
|
|
Domine demonstrasti mihi - Venite et eradamus eum
|
|
Payen, Nicolas
c.1512–1559
|
4 |
|
Domine Deus
|
|
Anon
|
3 |
(GB-Lcm 2035)
London, c.1600-c.1625
(Partbook, MS)
#40
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
Tye; from a lost antiphon? |
|
Domine Deus Agnus Dei
Nancho Alvarez
|
|
Morales, Cristóbal de
c.1500–1553
|
3 |
|
Domine Deus Agnus Dei
|
|
Anon
|
3 |
|
Domine Deus Agnus Dei
|
|
Manchicourt, Pierre de
c.1510–1564
|
2 |
|
Domine Deus Agnus Dei
|
|
Hesdin, Nicolle des Celliers de
d.1538
|
2 |
|
Domine Deus caelestis
|
|
Tye, Christopher
c.1505–1573
|
6 |
|
Domine Deus caeli
|
|
Bacchius, Johannes de
d.1557
|
8 |
Thesaurus musicus continens selectiss... (RISM 1564/1)
Thesaurus musicus continens selectissimas octo, septem, sex, quinque et quatuor vocum harmonias, tam a veteribus quam recentioribus Symphonistis compositas, et ad omnis generis instrumenta Musica accommodatas. Tomi primi continentis cantiones octo vocum
Nuremberg: Berg, Johann and Neuber, Ulrich, 1564
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#10
|
|
Attrib: Ioannes de Bacchi |
|
|
Domine Deus caeli et terrae - Qui irasceris et propitius
|
|
Anon
|
4 |
(D-Mbs 43)
c.1550
(Choirbook, MS)
#19
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
|
Domine Deus da cordi meo - Domine Jesu Christe
|
|
Castro, Jean de
c.1540-1545–c.1600
|
5 |
|
Domine Deus Domini regis mei - Deus qui pascis mea iuventute mea
|
|
Galli, Antonius
d.1565
|
4 |
|
Domine Deus exaudi orationem servorum tuorum
|
|
Handl, Jacob (Gallus)
1550–1591
|
16 |
|
Domine Deus exercituum fortis et potens - Igitur dissipa gentes que bella
|
|
Mouton, Jean
before 1459–1522
|
4 |
(GB-Lcm 2037)
London, 1527-1534
(Partbook, MS)
#18
|
|
Attrib: Jo Mouton |
|
|
Domine Deus exercituum fortis et potens - Igitur Domine dissipa gentes
|
|
Clemens non Papa, Jacobus
c.1510–1555/1556
|
4 |
Cantiones selectissimae quatuor vocum... (RISM 1549/11)
Cantiones selectissimae quatuor vocum, liber secundus
Augsburg: Ulhart, Philipp, 1549
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#5
|
|
Attrib: Clemens non Papa |
|
Choirbook D (NL-Lml 1441)
Leiden: Blauwe, Anthonius de and Flamingus, Johannes, c.1550-c.1567
(Choirbook, MS)
#4
|
|
Attrib: Clemens non papa |
|
Liber primus cantionum sacrarum vulgo... (RISM C2686)
Liber primus cantionum sacrarum vulgo moteta vocant, quatuor vocum
Leuven: Phalèse the Elder, Pierre, 1559
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#4
|
|
Attrib: Clemente non Papa |
|
|
Domine Deus exercituum - Salva nos
|
|
Crecquillon, Thomas
c.1505–1557
|
4 |
Sacarum cantionum (vulgo hodie moteta... (RISM 1556/5)
Sacarum cantionum (vulgo hodie moteta vocant) quatuor Vocum, ad veram Hermoniam concentumque ab optimis, quibusque Musicis
Antwerp: Laet, Jean de and Waelrant, Hubert, c.1556
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#8
|
|
Attrib: Cricquillon |
|
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
#58
|
|
Attrib: Thomas Crequillon |
|
(D-AN VI g 16)
Ansbach, 1565-1566
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#8
|
|
Attrib: Thomas Crequilon |
|
Opus sacrarum cantionum (quas vulgo m... (RISM C4410)
Opus sacrarum cantionum (quas vulgo moteta vocant)
Leuven: Phalèse the Elder, Pierre, 1576
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#17
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Criquillon |
|
|
Domine Deus fortis et clemens
|
|
Clemens non Papa, Jacobus
c.1510–1555/1556
|
5 |
Liber sextus cantionum sacrarum vulgo... (RISM 1554/5)
Liber sextus cantionum sacrarum vulgo moteta vocant, quinque et sex vocum ex optimis quibusque musics selectarum
Leuven: Phalèse the Elder, Pierre, 1554
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#8
|
|
Attrib: Clemens non papa |
|
Quartus liber modulorum, quatuor, qui... (RISM 1555/14)
Quartus liber modulorum, quatuor, quinque et sex vocum, (quos vulgus moteta vocat) à quibusvis celeberrimis authoribus excerptus, & nunc primùm in lucem aeditus.
[Geneva]: Du Bosc, Simon and Guéroult, Guillaume, 1555
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#10
|
|
Attrib: Clemens non papa |
|
Liber sextus cantionum sacrarum vulgo... (RISM 1558/5)
Liber sextus cantionum sacrarum vulgo moteta vocant, quinque et sex vocum ex optimis quibusque musics selectarum
Leuven: Phalèse the Elder, Pierre, 1558
(Partbook, Print)
#8
|
|
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
#73
|
|
Attrib: Ia. Clemens non Papa |
|
Tertivs liber modulorum, qvatuor et q... (RISM 1559/4)
Tertivs liber modulorum, qvatuor et qvinqve vocum, (quos vulgus Motteta vocat) a quibusuis celeberrimis authoribus excerptus
Geneva: Sylvius, Michael, c.1559
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#6
|
|
Attrib: Clemens |
4vv in contents |
|
Domine Deus fortissime
Pothárn Imre (SATTB)
|
|
Lassus, Orlande de
c.1532–1594
|
5 |
Hieremiae prophetae lamentationes, et... (RISM L958)
Hieremiae prophetae lamentationes, et aliae piae cantiones: nunquam antehac visae. Quinque vocum.
Munich: Berg, Adam, 1585
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#12
|
|
Attrib: Orlando di Lasso |
|
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
#232
|
|
Attrib: Orlandi de Lasso |
|
|
Domine Deus in simplicitate
Francis Bevan (ATBarBarB)
Pothárn Imre
|
|
Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da
c.1525–1594
|
5 |
|
Domine Deus Israel - Nunc ergo Domine
|
|
Lechner, Leonhard
c.1553–1606
|
5 |
|