An Altus partbook from a set of five volumes (the first four volumes are under shelfmark MS 49, and the fifth under MS 50. As the binding for one book does not match the others it may originally not have been recognised as part of the set). The set may be incomplete, as many pieces appear elsewhere with an additional voice-part.

Copied by many scribes (YouL identifies 13 text hands and 16 music hands); five hands (including that of Andreas Richter) also appear in LeipU 51 (NoblRL). Scribes made some attempts to systematise repertory; liturgical genres (Masses, Magnificats, Introits, motets, etc.) generally in groups, within which there is a further ordering according to the liturgical calendar. However, the apparent original organisational plan is not carried through consistently, and some pieces do not occur in the same relative location in all books. A number of additional pieces are copied into the Altus and Quintus books.

Copied in Leipzig, perhaps under the direction of Melchior Heger (1522-68), cantor at the St. Thomaskirche. Remained in library of Thomaskirche until 1930, then transferred to Universitätsbibliothek. Removed for safekeeping during World War II; returned to Universitätsbibliothekin 1959.

Original covers of leather over wooden boards (DATB books white, Q book brown), all stamped with stylized floral patterns, initials 'I R M,' voice designation, and date '1558.' Bindings probably the work of Balthasar Ziehenhaus or Ziegenaus of Leipzig.

not indicated

Single system of folio numbers, partly in original ink, partly in modern pencil where original foliation trimmed away, 1-158 + 158a-343 (ff. [344-407] not numbered)

Other numberings: Some original numbering of pieces.

No initials or decoration.

paper

15 Mass Ordinary cycles (some with Proper sections), 1 Mass Ordinary section, 4 Mass Proper cycles, 39 Mass Proper sections, 18 Magnificats, 2 Te Deums, 1 canticle, 8 office hymns, 3 processional hymns, 1 set of Lamentations, 3 Passions (2 in German), 129 motets, 2 sets of responses, 4 Latin/German sacred pieces, 10 German sacred pieces, 1 German secular piece, 1 Italian secular piece, 1 set of textless canons (in MS 50 only) = 243 + 11 pieces copied twice = 254

M. Agricola-8, M. Agricola/(Hayne van Ghizeghem)-1, (Appenzeller/Verdelot)-1, Arcadelt-1, (Arcadelt/Verdelot)-1, (Baston/Josquin/Stoltzer/Verdelot)-1, (Bauldeweyn/Grefinger)-1, Breitengraser-4, Brumel/(A. Agricola/Josquin/La Rue)-1, (Caen/Lupus/Richafort)-1, (Carpentras)-1, (Carpentras/(Josquin)-1, S. Cellarius -2, Clemens non Papa-6, (Conseil)-1, (Courtois)-1, Crecquillon-1, Dietrich-10, (Dietrich-Isaac)-1, Eckel-2, (Figulus/Walter)-1, (Finck)-2, Forster-(A. Févin/La Rue)-1, G.F.-1, C. Gallus-1, (Gombert)-2, (Gombert/Mouton/Verdelot)-1, (Hähnel)-6, (Hähnel-Walter-anon)-1, I. Hassler-2, Heintz-1, (Hellinck)-1, Isaac-6, (Janin)-1, (Jaquet of Mantua/Verdelot/Willaert)-1, Josquin-11, Josquin/(Eckel/Heintz)-1, Josquin/(Finck?/Wolff)-1, Josquin/(Gombert)-1, Josquin/La Rue)-1, (Josquin/Moulu/Mouton/Verdelot)-1, Josquin/(Senfl)-1, (Josquin/Senfl)-1, Josquin/(Verdelot)-1, D. Köler-1, (La Rue)-1, (Lemlin)-1, (Longaval/Obrecht/Venture)-1, (Lupi/Verdelot)-1, (Lupus/Richafort)-1, Maessens/(Mouton)-1, (Morales)-1, (Mouton)-1, Nötel [Georgius Noetellius]-1, Obrecht/(Willaert)-1, Othmayr-2, Paminger-1, Phinot-1, (Pipelare)-1, Pöpel-1, (Rein)-3, (Rener)-4, Resinarius-5, (Richafort)-1, (Schierrentinger)-1, Senfl-17, (Silva)-1, Stoltzer-20, (Trojanus)-1, (Verdelot)-2, Verdelot/(Turchant)-1, Walter-3 + 2?, (Werrecore)-1, (Wircker)-1, Willaert-1, anon-69

5 paper partbooks (D-vii + 375 folios, A-viii + 408, T-ix + 349, B-vii + 387, Q-vi + 158), 293 x 196. Each book has a single system of folio numbers, partly in original ink, partly in modern pencil where original foliation trimmed away - D: 3-313 (ff. 1-2 missing; ff. [314-377] not numbered); A: 1-158 + 158a-343 (ff. [344-407] not numbered); T: 1-299 (ff. [300-349] not numbered); B: 1-323 (1 unnumbered folio between ff. 148/149; ff. [324-385] not numbered; 1 loose unnumbered folio at end); Q: 1-134 (1 loose unnumbered folio between ff. 115/116; ff. [135-157] not numbered). Some original numbering of pieces. Blank folios or blank staves only-D: 3, 181'-182, 222, 313'-377'; A: 1'-2, 3, 179-186, 22O'-221, 244-245', 271'-272, 343'-407'; T: 2-3', 146', 158'-165', 210-211', 247', 299'-349'; B: 1-3, 118', 156', 177, 233-236', 254-254', 323'-385'; Q: 13', 72', 84-85', 133'-157'. Original covers of leather over wooden boards (DATB books white, Q book brown), all stamped with stylized floral patterns, initials "I R M," voice designation, and date "1558." Bindings probably the work of Balthasar Ziehenhaus or Ziegenaus of Leipzig. No index. Copied by many scribes (YouL identifies 13 text hands and 16 music hands); five hands (including that of Andreas Richter) also appear in LeipU 51 (NoblRL). No initials or decoration. Scribes made some attempts to systematize repertory; liturgical genres (Masses, Magnificats, Introits, motets, etc.) generally in groups, within which there is a further ordering according to the liturgical calendar. However, the apparent original organizational plan is not carried through consistently, and some pieces do not occur in the same relative location in all books.

Ca. 1558 (with a few slightly later additions). Copied in Leipzig, perhaps under the direction of Melchior Heger (1522-68), cantor at the St. Thomaskirche. Remained in library of Thomaskirche until 1930, then transferred to Universitätsbibliothek. Removed for safekeeping during World War II; returned to Universitätsbibliothek in 1959.