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 |
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Porta, Costanzo
c.1528–1601
|
4 |
|
O sacrum convivium
Nancho Alvarez
Chanticleer
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Victoria, Tomás Luis de
1548–1611
|
6 |
Motecta que partim, quaternis, partim... (RISM V1421)
Motecta que partim, quaternis, partim, quinis, alia, senis, alia, octonis vocibus concinuntur
Venice: Gardano, Antonio, 1572
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#29
|
|
Attrib: Tomae Lvdovici de Victoria Abulensis |
|
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
#21
|
|
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
#38
|
|
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
#8
|
|
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
#38
|
|
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
#38
|
|
Attrib: Thomae Lvdovici a 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
#36
|
|
Attrib: Tomae Lvdovici de Victoria Aulensis |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
Francis Bevan (SATB)
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Croce, Giovanni
c.1557–1609
|
4 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Canale, Floriano
fl.1579–1603
|
4 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Ghibel, Eliseo
c.1520–after 1581
|
5 |
|
O sacrum convivium
Francis Bevan (ATBarBarB)
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Gabussi, Giulio Cesare
c.1555-1558–1611
|
5 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Clavijo, Bernardo
c.1545–1626
|
5 |
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
#11
|
|
Attrib: Clavijo |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
Pothárn Imre (chiavette)
Pothárn Imre (down a fourth)
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da
c.1525–1594
|
5 |
Motettorum quae partim quinis, partim... (RISM P707)
Motettorum quae partim quinis, partim senis, partim octonis vocibus concinantur Liber Secundus nunc denuo in lucem editus
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1577
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#5
|
|
Attrib: Iohannis Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
Motettorum, quae partim quinis, parti... (RISM P709 (1588/9))
Motettorum, quae partim quinis, partim senis, partim octonis vocibus concinantur. Liber secundus
Venice: Scotto, Girolamo, 1588
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#5
|
|
Attrib: Ioannis Petraloysii Praenestini |
|
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
#18
|
|
Attrib: Ioh. Petraloysius |
|
Liber secundus motectorum quae partim... (RISM P710 (1594/1))
Liber secundus motectorum quae partim quinis, partim senis, partim octonis vocibus concinuntur.
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1594
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#5
|
|
Attrib: Ioan. Petri Aloysii Praenestini |
|
(I-Rli P.25)
1747-1754
(Score, MS)
RISM
#28
|
|
Attrib: Praenestinus |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Gostena, Giovanni Battista dalla
c.1558–1593
|
5 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Villani, Gasparo
after 1546–after 1619
|
5 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Pallavicino, Benedetto
c.1551–1601
|
8 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Mechi, Giovanni Battista
|
5 |
|
O sacrum convivium
Historic Brass of the Guildhall School and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
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
#16
|
|
Attrib: Marci Antonii Ingignerii |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Massaino, Tiburtio
before 1550–after 1608
|
8 |
Sacri modulorum concentus qui senis, ... (RISM M1275)
Sacri modulorum concentus qui senis, 7, 8, 9, 10, ac Duodenis vocibus in duos tresue Choros coalescentes, non minus In-mentorum, quam vocum harmonia suaviter concini possunt. Nunc primum in lucem editi.
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1592
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#12
|
|
Attrib: Tiburtii Massaini |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Vecchi, Orazio
1550–1605
|
6 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Croce, Giovanni
c.1557–1609
|
5 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Barges, Antonino
fl.1547–1565
|
4 |
|
O sacrum convivium
Francis Bevan (ATTBarBarB)
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Merulo, Claudio
1533–1604
|
6 |
Bourdenay codex (F-Pn 851)
Paris, c.1570-c.1599
(Score, MS)
#51
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
Il primo libro de mottetti a sei voci... (RISM M2360)
Il primo libro de mottetti a sei voci novamente composti, & dati in luce
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1583
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#12
|
|
Attrib: Claudio Merulo |
|
(D-AN VI g 32)
Ansbach, c.1590-c.1610
(Choirbook, MS)
RISM
#10
|
|
Attrib: Claüdiüs Merülüs |
|
Il primo libro de motteti a sei voci ... (RISM M2362)
Il primo libro de motteti a sei voci novamente ristampi
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1595
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#12
|
|
Attrib: Claudio Merulo |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Giovannelli, Ruggiero
c.1560–1625
|
5 |
Sacrarum modulationum quas vulgo mote... (RISM G2446)
Sacrarum modulationum quas vulgo motecta appellant, quae quinis, & octonis vocibus concinuntur liber primus
Rome: Coattino, Francesco, 1593
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#7
|
|
Attrib: Roggerii Ioannellii |
|
Sacrarum modulationum quas vulgo mote... (RISM G2447)
Sacrarum modulationum quas vulgo motecta appellant, quae quinis, & octonis vocibus concinuntur liber primus. Secunda editio
Rome: Coattino, Francesco, 1598
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#6
|
|
Attrib: Roggerii Ioannellii |
|
Motecta partim quinis partim octonis ... (RISM G2449)
Motecta partim quinis partim octonis vocibus concinenda, nuperrime impressa liber primus
Venice: Gardano, Angelo, 1598
(Partbook, Print)
RISM
#9
|
|
Attrib: Roggerii Ioannellii |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Mortaro, Antonio
fl.1587–1610
|
3 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Tudino, Cesare
d. after 1591
|
5 |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
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
#10
|
|
Attrib: Antonii Versi |
|
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Quintiani, Lucrezio
c.1550-1560–after 1595
|
8 |
|
O sacrum convivium
Taverner Consort
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Tallis, Thomas
c.1505–1585
|
5 |
Hamond partbooks (GB-Lbl Add. 30480–4)
London, c.1560-c.1590
(Partbook, MS)
#53
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
Textless |
Sadler partbooks (GB-Ob 1-5)
Oxford: Sadler, John, c.1565-1585
(Partbook, MS)
#31
|
|
Attrib: T. Tallis |
|
(GB-Ckc Rowe 316)
Cambridge, 1565
(Partbook, MS)
#8
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallis |
|
(GB-Lbl Add. 22597)
London, c.1565-c.1585
(Partbook, MS)
#5
|
|
Attrib: Maister Tallis |
as I call and cry |
(GB-SHR LB/15/1/226)
Shrewsbury, c.1570-c.1610
(Partbook, MS)
#2
|
|
Attrib: Mr Talis |
|
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
#9
|
|
Attrib: T. Tallis |
|
(GB-Ob Tenbury 1464)
Oxford, c.1575
(Partbook, MS)
#46
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallys |
Transposed up a fifth |
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)
#117
|
|
Attrib: Anon |
|
Dow partbooks (GB-Och 984-988)
Oxford: Baldwin, John and Dow, Robert, c.1581-c.1588
(Partbook, MS)
#42
|
|
Attrib: Tallis |
|
(US-NYp Drexel 4180-4185)
New York: Merro, John, 1600-1650
(Partbook, MS)
#101
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallis |
|
Chirk Castle Partbooks (US-NYp Mus. Res. *MNZ (Chirk) [1-4])
Wrexham, c.1618-c.1633
(Partbook, MS)
RISM
#41
|
|
Attrib: mr Tallis |
as I call and cry to thee |
(GB-Cpc 6.1-6)
c.1625-1644
(Partbook, MS)
#25
|
|
Attrib: Mr Tallis |
= I call and cry |
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
#50
|
|
Attrib: Tho. Tallis |
as I call and cry to thee |
|
O sacrum convivium
|
Corpus Christi, Maundy Thursday |
Anon
|
4 |
|