PRoMs - The Production and Reading of Music Sources

Mise-en-page in manuscripts and printed books containing polyphonic music, 1480—1530

Manuscript: Basel, Switzerland, Öffentliche Bibliothek der Universität, MS F VI 26 b

Manuscript type: choirbook (fragment)

RISM siglum: CH-Bu F.VI.26b

DIAMM Source Key: 2813

Folio(s): All folios

Date: First quarter of the 16th century

Location of origin: Basel, Switzerland ; Germany

Provenance

Based on the paper type, script and repertoire, probably made in or in the region around Basel. The manuscript was possibly later in the possession of the Remigius Faesch Museum whose holdings were taken over by Basel University Library in 1823.

Bibliography

Kmetz 1988, 49-51

Basis for description: high-quality image

Basel, Switzerland, Öffentliche Bibliothek der Universität, MS F VI 26 b, All folios

Physical description

Material: paper

Number of leaves: 8

Format: upright

Page dimensions: 318 x 220

Quire structure: Text version

Page details (zoom):

Preparation and Copying

All folios

Preparation

Disposition of Voice Parts Key

Pricking never
Ruled grid never
Ruling pattern highly irregular
Staves omitted from grid n/a
Incomplete staves never
Medium and colour of grid Frequency Folios Note
brown ink always single line to left and right of text block
Colour of staves Frequency Folios Note
brown always
Ruling medium Frequency Folios Note
straightedge always
Indentation for initials Frequency Folios Note
single always Initial staves of every voice-part always indented by c. 4 cm; sometimes further indentations of text and music over ruled staves to indicate the beginning of subsections within voices.
Extra space between voice parts Frequency Folios Note
variable space, not on grid normally
Space provided for separate text Frequency Folios Note
no separate text always
Adhoc adaptation Frequency Folios Note
none always

Copying of text and music

Language(s) Latin
Order of Copying music first
always
Presence/absence of text Voice part Frequency Folios Note
fully texted with one text all voice parts always
Music
Colour(s) of notation brown
Type(s) of notation void mensural
Type of notation note teardrop-shaped notation
Monophonic notation absent
Level of calligraphy fair
Non verbal performance instructions Folios Note
signa congruentiae 6r
Line fillers Folios Note
none
Later changes Folios
correction on f. 6r
Text
Types of script cursive (German)
Level of calligraphy fair
Colour(s) of text brown
Multiple texts no
Text repetitions none
Abbreviations many
Non underlaid vocal text none
Liminary text Voice designations throughout Title '[lala]he' on f. 1v Canonic instruction on f. 6v

Decoration

Level of Decoration poor
Decoration miniature frequency Folios Size position Description Discrepancies
never
Decoration border frequency Border type Folios Size Position Description Discrepancies
never None None
Decoration initial type Frequency Folios Initial type(s) Size position Description Discrepancies
penned initials rarely 5v calligraphic One line, top verso ornate red cadel with modest penflourishing
initials planned normally virtually all initials planned but unexecuted, with empty indentations and text beginning with the second letter of the word.
Other decoration frequency Folios Other decoration type(s) Size position Description Discrepancies
sometimes 2v, 5r, 5v, 7r, 7v-8r decorative final long
rarely 6v littera notabilior bottom of the page 'Pleni Tenor Tacet' with somewhat elaborate penned capitals