Add MS 41156-41158

MOTETS, etc., for three voices, and string trios, by English and Continental composers of the 16th and early 17th centt. The MSS. probably issue from the same source as Add. MSS. 29388-29392 (motets, etc., for six voices) and Egerton MSS. 2009- 2012 (madrigals, etc., for five voices), to which they bear a close resemblance in format, ruling and, in parts, script. Certain of the motets were originally composed for four or more voices; but of some of them only those portions are given here which were confined to three of the voices. It is therefore more probable that all the compositions in these MSS. are adapted as three-voice settings than that volumes containing other voices are missing. The compositions are anonymous; those identified are by Cristobal Morales (f. 4 b), William Byrde (ff. 12-17, 19), John Taverner (vols. 1-111, ff. 20, 21, 24, 24 b; vols. I and II, f. 21 b, vol. III, f. 22), Robert White (f. 21 b [no. 1), Thomas Tallis (ff. 22 b-23,b), Toás Luis de Victoria [Vittoria] (ff. 26 b-28, 45 b), Robert Johnson (f. 32 b), Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (f. 34 b), Joannes Chaynee al. Chainee (f. 38 b), Jacques Regnart (f. 41), Michael Deiss (ff. 42 b, 44 b), Joannes Deslins (f. 43 b), Jacob Vaet (ff. 47 b-48 b, 53 b-55) and Luca Marenzio (f. 49). Three volumes, containing respectively the Cantus (vol. I), Altus (vol. II) and Bassus (vol. III). Paper; ff- ii + 56, iv + 56, ii + 56. Early xvii cent. Oblong octavo. At the beginning and end of vol. II (ff. i, iii) are small fragments of leaves from a 14th cent. service-book; while on ff. i, ii of vols. I and III are offsets of fragments of the same book removed prior to the acquisition of the MSS. Bindings of brown leather stamped, similar to those of Add. MSS. 29388-29392 (see above). Sotheby's sale-cat., 17 July 1924, lot 186.