340J Christopher Simpson. (1602/4-1669 or 1674 see below) A Compendium of Practical Music in five parts Teaching, by a new, and easie method,Teaching, by a new, and easie method, 1. The rudiments of song. 2. The principles of composition.... Continue Reading →
181J Psalterium Latinum. A early fifteenth century Manuscript Psalter surrounded on every page by an untitled 18th century English History manuscript. Tours, France circa... Continue Reading →
632G Kircher, Athanasius (& Kestler) . 1602-1680 Physiologia Kircheriana Experimentalis, Qua Summa Argumentorum Multitudine & Varietate Naturalium rerum scientia per experimenta Physica, Mathematica, Medica, Chymica, Musica, Magnetica, Mechanica comprobatur atque stabilitur. Quam Ex Vastis Operibus Adm. Revdi. P. Athanasii Kircheri extraxit, & in hunc ordinem per classes redegit Romæ, Anno M. DC. LXXV. Joannes Stephanus […]
The following books are all interesting English folios from my current stock. 333J Nehemia Grew Cosmologia sacra: or a discourse of the universe as it is the creature and kingdom of God. Chiefly written, to demonstrate the truth and Excellency... Continue Reading →
1) "The earliest instance of a”romance” credited to an Irish writer “ (Sweeney, Ireland and the Printed Word) 334J Roger Boyle ,The Earl of Orrery. (1676-1731) Parthenissa. That most fam’d romance· The six volumes compleat. Composed by the right honourable the... Continue Reading →
A very interesting new Acquisition!
Among the most eye-catching books acquired recently by Burns Library is this collection of masses by the prolific and influential Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Printed in 1570, in Rome, this is the first edition of the third collection of Palestrina’s masses (the first book was printed in 1554; the second in 1567). It includes eight masses for four to six voices.
Title page, Ioannis Petraloysii Praenestini Missarum Liber Tertius, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, John J. Burns Library, Boston College
On opening the volume, the first thing you notice are the elaborate woodcut depictions of musical instruments and allegorical figures which border the title page. The decorative elements and large format appear to signal a major composer at the zenith of his career, however by 1570 Palestrina’s prospects were actually dimming. In an essay memorably titled “Publish or Perish,” Jane A. Bernstein writes:
[Palestrina] dedicated his…
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The reason for publishing a short catalogue is to facilitate easier and cheaper shipping so that I can ship anyone who asks for one will get one quickly. If you usually get my catalogues one will be on the way,... Continue Reading →
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