Collection of vocal and instrumental music, inscribed 'Contratenor. I.P.'
Four sections remaining from a set of six part-books, bound together. Content probably copied c 1580-1590. Section I consists of 4 songs by Byrd, for 5 voices; section II of English anthems and songs by Byrd and others, 5 voices 'and 6 if you will', numbered 1-36; section III has motets and other music for 5 voices by Byrd and others, numbered 1-57; and section IV has motets, canticles, instrumental pieces, and an Italian madrigal by Alfonso Ferrabosco senior, for 6 voices, numbered 1-30. From the watermarks (see note at end) it appears that the order of completing was I and III, IV, II. Instrumental pieces by otherwise unknown composers, Gregory Ballard (nos. 72 and 38) and Mr. Poynt (no. 89), are also included.
Section I, nos. 1-4: Byrd. Songs for 5 parts (Medius), of which 1, 3 and 4 were published in Psalms, Sonets and Songs, 1588. Calligraphic copy, square notes:
1. O that most rare. Pp. 1-3.
2. Truce... for a time. Pp. 3-4.
3. Constant Penelope. Pp. 4-5.
4. In fields abroad. Pp. 5-6.
Section II, nos. 5-41: English anthems and songs by Byrd, Heath, R. Parsons, Shepherd, and Tallis. For 5 voices unless 6 is mentioned (Countertenor):
5. 1. 'Robart Parsons of the Chappell'. Deliver me. Pp. 7-8.
6. 2. R. Parsons. Holy, holy. Pp. 8-10.
7. 3. Tallis. O sing unto the Lord. 6 voices. Pp. 11-14.
8. 4. Shepherd. Hast thee O God. Pp. 14-17.
9. 5. 'Mr. Heathe'. Almighty God whose kingdom. 6 voices. Pp. 18-20.
10. 6. Shepherd. Lord how are they increased. 6 voices. Pp. 21-23.
11. 7. Byrd. Arise O Lord, 2nd part. Tenor 2. 6 voices. P. 24.
12. 8. Byrd. If in they heart. Published, Songs of Sundrie Natures, 1589. (Tenor 1). 6 voices. Pp. 24-26.
13. 9. Tallis. Blessed are those that be undefiled. Pp. 26-31.
Section II, nos. 14-22: Byrd. Songs for 5 voices, of which 14, 17, 21 and 22 were published in 1588 (see nos. 1-4 above). 16 and 18 are not ascribed:
14. 10. Susanna fair. P. 31.
15. 11. Ah golden hair. P. 32.
16. 12. O god, but god how dare. Pp. 32-33.
17. 13. O you that hear. P. 34.
18. 14. O Lord how vain. Pp. 34-35.
19. 15. Lord to thee I make. P. 35.
20. 16. O that we. Pp. 35-36.
21. 17. Where fancy fond. Pp. 36-37.
22. 18. Why do I use. Pp. 37-38.
Section II, nos. 23-30: Songs for 5 ?. voices.
23. 19. Anon. Not she. P. 38.
24. 20. Strogers. O heavenly God. Pp. 38-39.
25. 21. Anon. What time Ulixes. P. 39.
26. 22. Parsons. What bred the wofull fall. P. 40.
27. 23. Anon. My troubled thoughts. P. 40.
28. 24. Anon. If fraudless faith. Pp. 40-41.
29. 25. Parsons. When I look back. P. 41.
30. 26. Anon. The griping grief. P. 41.
Section II, nos. 31-41: Byrd. Songs, etc., of which 31, 33-35, 39-40 were published in 1588; 32, 37-38 published in 1589. 5 voices unless 6 is mentioned:
31. 27. Lullaby. Pp. 42-43.
32. 28. Christ rising. 6 voices. Pp. 43-46.
33. 29. Who likes to love. Pp. 46-47.
34. 30. Though Amaryllis. P. 47.
35. 31. My mind to me. P. 48.
36. [Not numbered]. As Caesar wept. Pp. 48-49.
37. 32. When first by force. P. 49.
38. 33. 'Mr. Ballarde'. I thought to love. P. 50.
39. 34. I joy not. Pp. 50-51.
40. 41. La virginella. Pp. 51-52.
41. 42. O happy thrice. P. 52.
Section III, nos. 42-98: 5-part music by Byrd, Gregory Ballard, Alfonso Ferrabosco senior, Munday, Tallis, Taverner, Tye and White. Contratenor unless otherwise described:
Nos. 42-46: Byrd. All but 46 were published in Cantiones sacrae, I (1589) or II (1591):
42. 1. Aspice domine. Pp. 63-65.
43. 2. Ne irascaris. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 65-67.
44. 3. Domine praestolamur. Pp. 67-70.
45. 4. Levemus corda nostra. Pp. 70-72.
46. 5. Ne perdas. Pp. 72-73.
47. 6. 'Mr Mundaye' [Mundy]. Sive vigilem. Pp. 74-75.
48. 7. O domine adiuva. Published in Cantiones sacrae, I (1589). Pp. 75-76.
49. 8. Memento domine. Pp. 77-78.
50. 9. Omni tempore. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 78-80.
51. 10. Tristitia. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 80-83.
52. 11. Domine exaudi. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 83-86.
53. 12. Alfonso Ferrabosco senior. Mirabile mysterium. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 86-87.
54. 13. Peccavi. (Tenor 2). Published in Cantiones sacrae, I (1589). Pp. 88-89.
55. 14. Tribulationes civitatum. (Contratenor 2). 'cor[rect]'. Published in Cantiones sacrae, I (1589). Pp. 90-93.
56. 15. Taverner. Mater Christi. Pp. 93-95.
57. 16. Tallis. Salve intemerata virgo. Pp. 96-102.
58. 17. Taverner. Gaude plurimum. Pp. 102-108.
59. 18. 'Mr. Mundaye' [Mundy]. Magnificat, for mens' voices. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 108-111.
60. 19. W. Mundy. Magnificat, for mens' voices. (Bassus). Pp. 111-116.
61. 20. Taverner. Magnificat, for mens' voices. Pp. 116-119.
62. 21. W. Mundy. Gaude virgo. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 120-123.
63. 22. Tye. [Miserere mei]. (Bassus). Pp. 123-127.
64. 23. Taverner. Ave dei patris. Pp. 127-132.
65. 24. Byrd. Tribulatio proxima. (Contratenor 2). Published in Cantiones sacrae, I (1589). Pp. 132-134.
66. 25. Byrd. Recordare domine. (Tenor). 'Change bookes with the Conntra Tenor'. Published in Cantiones sacrae, I (1589). Pp. 134-137.
67. 26. Byrd. O quam gloriosum. Published in Cantiones sacrae, I (1589). Pp. 137-140.
68. 27. White. Manus tuae fecerunt me. Pp. 140-146.
Nos. 69-72: Instrumental pieces.
69. 28. Parsons. 'De la Court'. Pp. 146-149.
70. 29. Byrd. 'Browning'. Pp. 149-151.
71. 30. Mundy. 'Sermone blando'. Pp. 151-154.
72. 31. Gregorie Ballarde. 'The poynt'. Pp. 154-155.
Nos. 73-83: 5-part motets by Byrd, of which 73, 75-8, 80-81, 83 were published in Cantiones sacrae.
73. 32. Apparebit in finem. Pp. 155-156.
74. 33. Audivi vocem. Pp. 157-158.
75. 34. Haec dicit dominus. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 158-160.
76. 35. Domine tu iurasti. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 160-162.
77. 36. Exurge domine. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 162-164.
78. 37. Laetentur coeli. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 164-166.
79. 38. Sponsus amat. Black notation. P. 166.
80. 39. Circumdederunt me dolores. Pp. 166-167.
81. 40. Vide domine. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 167-170.
82. 41. Benigne fac domine. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 170-171.
83. 42. In resurrectione tua. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 171-172.
84. 43. White. Precamur sancte domine, black notation. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 172-173.
85. 44. Tye. Amavit, without words. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 173-174.
Nos. 86-88: Byrd. Motets, of which 87-88 were published in Cantiones sacrae:
86. 45. Ad punctum. (Bassus 1). Pp. 174-176.
87. 46. Domine secundum multitudinem. Pp. 176-177.
88. 47. Deus venerunt gentes. Pp. 177-180.
Nos. 89-92: In nomines:
89. 48. Mr. Poynt. Pp. 180-181.
90. 49. Tye [Meyer 1]. Pp. 181-182.
91. 50. Byrd [5/51]. Pp. 182-183.
92. 51. Robert Parsons [5/1]. Pp. 183-184.
93. 52. Parsons. Ave Maria. (Contratenor 2). Pp. 184-186.
94. 53. Alfonso Ferrabosco sen. Vias tuas. (Bassus). Pp. 186-187.
Nos. 95-98 Byrd. Motets, published in Cantiones sacrae:
95. 54. Miserere mei. (Tenor). Pp. 187-188.
96. 55. Vigilate. (Tenor 2). Pp. 189-190.
97. 56. Salve regina. Pp. 191-193.
98. 57. Quis est homo. Pp. 194-196.
Section IV, nos. 99-128: Motets, etc. in 6 parts. (Contratenor secundus part unless described otherwise):
Nos. 99-102: Byrd, Motets, published in Cantiones sacrae II (1591):
99. 1. Infelix. Pp. 201-206.
100. 2. Cunctis diebus. Pp. 206-208.
101. 3. Afflicti pro peccatis. (Tenor 1). Black notation. Pp. 208-209.
102. 4. Descendit de coelis. (Tenor 1). Black notation. Pp. 209-210.
103. 5. Tallis. Gaude virgo Maria. Pp. 210-216.
104. 6. Shepherd. Gaude virgo christifera. Pp. 216-219.
105. 7. Tye. In quo corrigit. Dated 1568. Pp. 220-222.
106. 8. Robert White. Domine quis habitabit. (Bassus 1). Pp. 222-224.
107. 9. William Parsons. Anima Christi. Pp. 224-226.
108. 10. William Mundy. Eructavit cor meum. (Bassus). Pp. 227-231.
109. 11. Whytbrooke. Magnificat. Pp. 231-233.
110. 12. Taverner. Magnificat. Pp. 234-237.
111. 13. Shepherd. Pp. 238-242.
112. 14. W. White. Magnificat. Dated 1570. Pp. 242-245.
113. 15. R. Parsons of the Chapel. Magnificat. Pp. 245-250.
114-115. 16-17. Tye. Magnificats. Pp. 250-253, 253-256.
116. 18. Tye. Ave caput Christi. Pp. 257-261.
117. 19. Tye. Domine Deus celestis. Pp. 261-267.
118. 20. White. Domine non est. Pp. 268-270.
119. 21. Mundy. Vox patris. Pp. 270-280.
120. 22. W. Mundy. Miserere mei. Pp. 280-286.
121. [23] Tye. Te Deum. Pp. 286-291.
122. [24] Tye. Christus resurgens. Pp. 291-294.
123. [25] White. Lamentacio Hierimie [Lamentations]. (Contratenor). Pp. 294-297.
124. [26] Mundy. Adolescentulus. (Contratenor). Pp. 298-299.
125. [27] White. Deus misereatur. (Superius). Pp. 299-302.
126. 28. Byrd. Fantazia [6/g1]. Pp. 303-305.
127. [29] 'Mr. Alfonso' [Ferrabosco sen.]. Se lungi dal mio. Pp. 305-306.
128. 30. Byrd. Fantazia [6/g2]. (Medius). Pp. 307-309.
Dates
- Creation: c 1575-1586
Extent
1 box
Language of Materials
- English
- Latin
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Mus. Sch. e. 423, pp. 1-2].
Shelfmark:
MS. Mus. Sch. e. 423
Music School B. 4. 27
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 17377
Abstract
A single partbook containing vocal and instrumental music for various voice-parts (mostly Contratenor). First and third sequences contain works for 6 voices; the second only 5-voice works. Copied by several scribes. Some pieces have text incipits or titles only. Of English origin with possible connections with Sir John Petre (1549-1613), of Ingatestone, Essex, [c 1575-1586].
Biographical / Historical
Biographical information of the composers represented here, with the exception of Gregory Ballard, can be found in Grove Music Online
Other Finding Aids
Robert Hake, [Catalogue of the Music School Collection], c 1850-1855. No. CXXIX.
Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. V, no. 26558.
Digital images, a more detailed inventory and further information in DIAMM:
Custodial History
This item is part of the Music School collection of printed and manuscript music, which was originally bequeathed to the University of Oxford by William Heather (c 1563-1627), and gradually added to until the end of the 18th century.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was transferred to the Bodleian in 1885.
Physical Facet
ii + 316 pages (really ii + 322, for pp. 135, 233, 239, 241 and 303 are tripled, 142-144 and 276-278 are each single pages), usually quired in eights. Copied in four sections, using paper of three kinds. Watermarks resembling Fleur de Lys, Briquet 7257; B, Briquet 8078-80; and Grapes, initialled IV. The fourth section is made up of paper of each kind, in the order: Fleur de Lys (2 quires of 8), B (4 quires of 8), Grapes (1 quire of 8). The first is Fleur de Lys (quire of 4, fol. 1 missing); the third, Fleur de Lys (5 quires of 8) and Grapes (3 quires of 8, 1 of 4); the second, apparently the last to be copied, B (quire of 8) and Grapes (2 quires of 8, 1 of 4). Three leaves (pp. 135a-b, 239c-240 and 241a-b) were inserted for corrections. Ruling, five staves, the top and bottom lines extended through the marginal ruling. Binding, white vellum, inscribed 'Contratenor I.P.'. The name 'Peter Gifford', apparently in the hand of the copyist, is written on the inside of the back cover. [Notes on watermarks and collation, made during the repair of this manuscript in 1985-86, are kept at Refs. LVI.16].
Dimensions
Oblong quarto
Subject
- Byrd | William | c 1540-1623 | musical composer (Person)
- Tye | Christopher | ? 1497-1572 | composer (Person)
- White | Robert | c 1538-1574 | composer (Person)
- Tallis | Thomas | c 1505-1585 | composer (Person)
- Taverner | John | c 1490-1545 | composer (Person)
- Mundy | William | c 1528-c 1591 | composer (Person)
- Sheppard | John | c 1515-1558 | composer (Person)
- Parsons | Robert | c 1535-1572 | composer (Person)
- Title
- Collection of vocal and instrumental music, inscribed 'Contratenor. I.P.'
- Status
- Published
- Date
- EAD version 2019
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk