An Altus partbook from a set of three volumes. Repertory consists of complete works in three voices and three-voice sections extracted from larger works. Music copied by two scribes, both employed by Edward Paston (1550-1630) of Norfolk, a country gentleman and collector of music. Purchased by British Museum at a Sotheby's sale in 1924.

(Note: A handful of pieces indicate that they are in 4vv or are known to be in 4vv (e.g. Vaet's 'Salve regina' settings) so it is possible that, as RISM-Online suggests, a 4th book formerly existed.)

New covers of brown cloth on cardboard.

not indicated

Original ink foliation in each book, 1-56

No initials or decoration

paper

72 Mass Ordinary sections, 1 hymn, 1 Lamentation, 40 motets, 7 textless pieces (some in other sources with English secular texts, here with title "Fantasia" only) = 60

(Byrd)-13, (Chaynée)-1, (Clemens non Papa)-1, (Deiss)-1, (Deslins)-1, (C. Hollander)-1, (R. Johnson I)-1, (Marenzio)-2, (Morales)-4, (Palestrina)-1, (R. Parsons I)-1, (Regnart)-1, (Tallis)-1, (Taverner)-3, (Vaet)-2, (Victoria)-9, (R. White)-1, anon-16

3 paper partbooks (D-iv + i + 56 + i + iii folios, A-ii + iii + 56 + i + iv, B-iii + i + 56 + i + iv), 134 x 210. Original ink foliation in each book, 1-56. New covers of brown cloth on cardboard. No index. Music copied by two scribes, both employed by Edward Paston (see BrettEP for list of other books in the same hands and for discussion of related manuscripts from Paston's circle). No initials or decoration. Repertory consists of complete works in three voices and three-voice sections extracted from larger works.

Early 17th century. Of English provenance; originated in the household of Edward Paston (1550-1630) of Norfolk, a country gentleman and collector of music. Purchased by British Museum at a Sotheby's sale in 1924.

Vol 4

Composers: Add "(A. Ferrabosco I)-1"; change "anon-16" to "anon-15."