Copied by a single scribe, possibly Giovanni Guglielmo or Giulio Bonagiunta (BarblTC). One of the earliest, if not the earliest, manuscript copied in score format, with barlines. Repertorial connections with ParisBNC 851 ( the 'Bourdeney manuscript', see BarblTC). Copied in Parma, probably for study use at the court of Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma 1547-86, or Alessandro Farnese, Duke 1586-92.

Possibly compiled by Giovanni Guglielmo or Giulio Bonagiunta, both employed as musicians at the Farnese court (BarblTC). Manuscript sold by 'Guilielmo Todesco' (= Giovanni Guglielmo?) to Count Alessandro Tarasconi of Parma, in 1589 (inscription on f. 1); remained with Tarasconi family until c. 1917, when it came into the possession of Prof. G. P. Clerici of Parma. Acquired by Milan Conservatory of Music from Prof. Clerici's daughter, Osanna Clerici, in 1954.

Some folios waterstained, but music still legible

Original covers of thick parchment over cardboard, in very poor condition

Ox watermark visible on f. 79'. There is also a unicorn and crown, both with and without a star (OwensT).

black void mensural

Last third of 16th century; probably completed ca. 1585-6 (BarblTC)

Each system of staves runs entirely across each opening.

Original ink foliation, [l]-224, excludes flyleaves ('75' applied to two consecutive folios; one folio, now '156bis,' originally glued to f. 156'; '170-179' omitted).

Original index on two unnumbered folios at end; pieces grouped alphabetically by first letter of text, with subgroupings under each letter by number of voices and order of appearance.

paper

1 French sacred piece, 214 Italian secular pieces, 9 French secular pieces, 2 Latin secular pieces, 1 piece with illegible text = 227

G. Animuccia/(Primavera)-1, P. Animuccia-2, (Arcadelt)-1, A. Barré, O. Bassani-1, Cimello-1, (Clereau)-1, (Crecquillon)-1, Dentice-1, Donato-1, Dragoni-1, (D. Ferrabosco)-1, A. Gabrieli-10, (Giovanelli)-1, G. Guami-2, Ingegneri-2, (Ingegneri/Rore)-3, Lassus-12, (Marenzio)-3, Merulo-1, Philippe de Monte-27, Nanino-6, Nola-2, (A. Padovano)-1, Palestrina-8, (Primavera)-1, Rore-86, Rosselli-1, (Ruffo)-1, B. Spontoni-3, Striggio-18, Tartaglino-2, N. Vicentino-1, Wert-4, Willaert-3, anon-16

i + 227 paper folios, 410 x 262. Some folios waterstained, but music still legible. Original ink foliation, 1-224 (two folios numbered "75"; last two folios unnumbered). Blank staves only on ff. 151-155, 207'-208, 213'-214. Original covers of thick parchment over cardboard, in very poor condition. Original index on two unnumbered folios at end; pieces grouped alphabetically by first letter of text, with subgroupings under each letter by number of voices and order of appearance. Score format, with barlines; each system of staves runs entirely across each opening. Copied by a single scribe, possibly Giovanni Guglielmo or Giulio Bonagiunta (BarblTC). No initials or decoration. Ox watermark visible on f. 79'. Repertorial connections with ParisBNC 851 (see BarblTC).

Last third of 16th century; probably completed ca. 1585-6 (BarblTC). Copied in Parma, probably for use at the court of Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma 1547-86, or Alessandro Farnese, Duke 1586-92. Possibly compiled by Giovanni Guglielmo or Giulio Bonagiunta, both employed as musicians at the Farnese court (BarblTC). Manuscript sold by "Guilielmo Todesco" (= Giovanni Guglielmo?) to Count Alessandro Tarasconi of Parma, in 1589 (inscription on f. 1); remained with Tarasconi family until ca. 1917, when it came into the possession of Prof. G. P. Clerici of Parma. Acquired by Milan Conservatory of Music from Prof. Clerici's daughter, Osanna Clerici, in 1954.

Vol 4

Contents: 1 French sacred piece, 212 Italian secular pieces, 10 French secular pieces, 3 Latin secular pieces, 3 textless pieces (1 fragmentary) = 229 + 5 duplicates = 234

Composers: Add "(Baston/Clemens non Papa/Janequin/Pathie?)-1" and "Vidue [Vild?]-1"; change "(Crecquillon)-1" to "(Crecquillon)-2"; change "Philippe de Monte-27" to "Philippe de Monte-26"; change "(A. Padovano)-1" to "A. Padovano-1"; change "Rore-86" to "Rore-85."

Physical: i + 216 + ii paper folios, 410 x 262. Original ink foliation, [l]-224, excludes flyleaves ("75" applied to two consecutive folios; one folio, now "156bis," originally glued to f. 156'; "170-179" omitted). Watermarks also include unicorn and crown, both with and without a star (OwensT).