Primary Sources on Performance Practice

Late Renaissance - Classic Periods

Compiled by George Houle, ed. D. Fader

Agazzari, Agostino.  Del sonare sopra'l basso con tutti li stromenti (Siena, 1607).  Continuo playing. 

    Facsimile ed. Bologna: Forni, 1969.  MT49. A264. 

    English trans. in Strunk, Source Readings in Music History.  See Gloria Rose, "Agazzari and the improvising orchestra," JAMS 18 (1965): 382

Agricola, Johann.  Anleitung zur Singekunst (Berlin, 1757).  Singing.  

    Facsimile ed.: (Kassel : Bärenreiter, 2002):  frontlog book 5176420. 

    English translation: Introduction to the art of singing, ed. Julianne C. Baird. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. MT892 .T71

Altenburg, Johann Ernst.  Versuch einer Anleitung zur heroish- musikalischen Trompeter- und Paukerkunst (Halle, 1795).  Trumpets and drums.

    Facsimile ed.:  Dresden, R. Bertling, 1911.  MT440 .A4

    English translation: Essay on an introduction to the heroic and musical trumpeters' and kettledrummers' art, for the sake of a wider acceptance of the same, described historically, theoretically, and practically and illustrated with examples, ed. Edward H. Tarr.  Nashville: Brass Press, 1974.   MT440 .A42

Anglebert, Jean-Hennri d'.  Preface to Pièces de Clavecin avec la manière de les jouer. (Paris, 1689).  Harpsichord, ornamentation.

    Facs. ed.: New York : Performers' Facsimiles, 2002.  Frontlog score 5481937

    English translation: in Kenneth Gilbert, ed.  Paris: Heugel, 1975.   M22 .A59

Bach, Carl Philipp Emmanuel.  Versuch über die wahre Art, das Clavier zu spielen (Berlin, 1753/1762).  Keyboards, general.

    Facsimile ed.:  Leipzig : Breitkopf & Härtel, 1957.  MT224 .B131 1957

    English translation: Essay on the true art of playing keyboard instruments, ed. William J. Mitchell.   New York, W. W. Norton, 1949.  MT224 .B132

Bacilly, Bénigne de.  Remaques curieuses sur l'art de bien chanter (Paris, 1668/1679).  Singing: France

    Facsimile ed.: Geneva: Minkoff Reprints , 1971.  MT835.B12 R3

    English translation: A commentary upon the art of proper singing, ed. Austin B. Caswell.  Brooklyn, N.Y. : Institute of Mediæval Music, 1968.   MT835.B12 R322

Bérard, Jean Antoine.  L'art du chant, dédié à Mme. De Pompadour.  (Paris, 1755).  Singing: France.

    Facsimile ed.: New York: Broude Brothers, 1967.  MT820 .B429 1967

    English translation by Sidney Murray.  Milwaukee, Wis.: Pro Musica Press, 1969.   MT820 .B429

Bernhard, Christoph.  Von der Singe-Kunst oder Manier (ms., ca. 1650).  The 17th century Italian style as transmitted by Schütz to his pupils.  Singing: Italy, Germany.

    Modern ed. in Die Kompositionslehre Heinrich Schützens in der Fassung seines Schülers Christoph Bernhard, ed. Joseph Müller-Blattau.  Kassel: Bärenreiter-Verlag Karl Vötterle, 1999.   ML410.S35 M9 1999

    English translation in The Music Forum, III.  ML55. M682.

Brunelli, Antonio.  Varii esercitii (Florence, 1614).  Vocal ornamentation

    Modern ed. by Richard Erig.  Zürich : Musikverlag zum Pelikan, 1977. MT80 .B78

Caccini, Giulio.  Le nuove musiche (Florence, 1601).  Singing, ornamentation.

    Facs. ed.: New York : Performers' Facsimiles, [1987]  M1490.C11 N9 1987

    English translation by H. Wiley Hitchcock.  Madison, A-R Editions, 1970.  Recent researches in the music of the Baroque Era, v. 9  M2 .R285 v. 9

    Lit: Wiley Hitchcock, "Vocal ornamentation in Caccini's Nuove musiche," MQ 56 (1970): 389.  Tim Carter, "On the Composition and Performance of Caccini's Le Nuove Musiche," Early Music 12 (May, 1984): 208.

Caccini, Giulio.  Nuove musiche e nuova maniera di scriverle (Florence, 1614).

    Facs ed. and trans. by H. Wiley Hitchcock.  Madison: A-R Editions, 1978.  Recent researches in the music of the baroque era, vol. 28.   M2 .R238 v. 28     

Cerone, Pietro.  El melopeo y maestro: Tractado de musica theorica y pratica (Bologna, 1613).  Various

    Facs. ed.: Ann Arbor, Mich.: University Microfilms International, 1978. MT6 .C35 v.1-2     

    English translation (book II only): Strunk, Source Readings

    Lit: Ruth Hannas, "Cerone, Philosopher and Teacher," MQ 21 (1925): 408-22

Cerreto, Scipione.  Della prattica musica vocale, et strumentale (Naples , 1601).  General.

    Facs ed.: Bologna, Forni, 1969.   MT6.C417 D457 1969   

Conforti, Giovanni Luca.  Breve et facile maniera d'essercitarsi a far passaggi (Rome, 1593).  Ornamentation

    Modern ed. by Murray C. Bradshaw.   Holzgerlingen: American Institute of Musicology, 1999.   ALJ7881

    German trans. by Johannes Wolf.  Berlin: Martin Breslauer, 1922. M2 .H65 v.2

Corelli, Arcangelo.  Sonate a violino e violone o cimbalo.  Opera quinta.  Ornamentation.

    Different ornamented versions can be found in the following sources:

       Amsterdam edition (1715) "composez par Mr. A. Corelli comme il les joue" M3 C79W9

       Graced by Geminiani in Hawkins, History, II: 904-07.

Corrette, Michel.  L'école d'Orphée, méthode pour apprendre facilement a jouer du violon dans le goût françois et italien (Paris, 1738).  Violin.

    Facs. ed.: Genève, Minkoff Reprint, 1972.  MT262.C824 E2

    English translation: Carol Reglin Farrar, Seven string instrument treatises of Michel Corrette.  Ph.D diss, North Texas State University, 1978. MT259.C79 F24  Microfilm

Corrette, Michel.  L'art de se perfectionner dans le violon, sur toutes les positions de quatres cordes ... suite de l'école d'Orphée (Paris, 1782).  Violin.

    Facs.:  microcard MT 271

    English translation: Carol Reglin Farrar, Seven string instrument treatises of Michel Corrette.  Ph.D diss, North Texas State University, 1978. MT259.C79 F24  Microfilm

Corrette, Michel.  Méthode théorique et pratique pour apprendre en peu de tems le violoncelle dans sa perfection (Paris, 1741).  Cello.

    Facs. ed.: Genève, Minkoff Reprints, 1972.  MT302.A2 C824

    English translation: Carol Reglin Farrar, Seven string instrument treatises of Michel Corrette.  Ph.D diss, North Texas State University, 1978. MT259.C79 F24  Microfilm

Corrette, Michel.  Méthode pour apprendre facilement à jouer du par-dessus de viole à 5 et à 6 cordes (Paris, 1781).  Viola da gamba.

    English translation: Method for easily learning to play the pardessus de viole with five or six strings, including lessons of one and two parts.  Trans. Jane-Anne Koch.  Boston: New Boston Editions, 1990. MT338.C83 M41

Corrette, Michel.  Le dons d'Apollon, méthode pour apprendre facilement à jouer de la guitarre par musique et par tablature. Guitar.

    English translation: Carol Reglin Farrar, Seven string instrument treatises of Michel Corrette.  Ph.D diss, North Texas State University, 1978. MT259.C79 F24  Microfilm

Corrette, Michel.  Méthodes pour apprendre à jouer de la contre-basse à 3, à 4, et à 5 cordes, de la quinte ou alto et de la viole d'Orphée (Paris, 1781).  Double Bass, Bass Violin.

    English translation: Carol Reglin Farrar, Seven string instrument treatises of Michel Corrette.  Ph.D diss, North Texas State University, 1978. MT259.C79 F24  Microfilm

Corrette, Michel.  L'Art de se perfectionner dans le violon.  Violin

    English translation: Carol Reglin Farrar, Seven string instrument treatises of Michel Corrette.  Ph.D diss, North Texas State University, 1978. MT259.C79 F24  Microfilm

Corrette, Michel.  Methode pour apprendre aisément à joüer de la flute traversiere (Paris, 1735/1740).  Méthode raisonée pour apprendre aisément à jouër de la flûtte traversiere  (2nd ed., Paris, 1773).  Flute

    Facs ed.:  Geneva: Minkoff Reprint, 1977 (1773 ed.) MT342.C8 M5            

       Buren: Uitgeverij Frits Knuf, 1978 (1735 ed.) MT342 .C8

    English translation: Carol Reglin Farrar, Michel Corrette and flute-playing in the eighteenth century.  Brooklyn: Institute of Mediaeval Music, 1970.  MT342.F242 M6

Couperin, François.  L'art de toucher le clavecin (1717).  Harpsichord.

    Facs. ed.: Genève : Minkoff, 1986.  MT252.C85 M4                      

    English translation:Author:  The art of playing the harpsichord, trans. Margery Halford.  Sherman Oaks, CA: Alfred Pub. Co., 1974.  MT252 .C82 1716AA  

Couperin, François. "Règles pour l'accompagnement" (ms, ca. 1698)

    Modern ed.: in Oeuvres Complètes, ed. Paul Brunold, vol. 1.  M3. C851c.

Danoville. L’Art de toucher le dessus et basse de violle.( Paris, 1687).  Viola da gamba.

    Facs. ed., Geneve: Minkoff, 1972. ML760. D167

Denis, Jean. Traité de l’accord de l’espinette. (Paris: Balliard, 1650).  Tuning and temperament

    Facs. ed., New York: Da Capo, 1969. M252. D395

    Translation by Vincent Panetta, Jr. Cambridge, CUP, 1987. MT165. D45

Eichmann, Peter. Praecepta musicae practicae. (Stettin, 1604) Tactus, notation

    Did not find in IUCAT.

Falck, Georg. Idea boni cantoris...(Nürmberg, 1688) teaching manual.

    Translation by Ralph Taylor. LSU thesis, 1972. ABK1607 – Frontlog Microfilm

Freillon, Poncein, Jean Pierre. La veritable maniére d’ apprende á jouer en perfection du hautbois... (Paris, 1700).  woodwinds.

    Facs. ed., Geneve: Minkoff, 1971. MT362. F864

Frescobaldi, Girolamo. Toccate e partite d’intavolature di cimbalo. (1615, 1616, 1628, 1637).  Keyboard, improvisation.

    Firenze: Studi per edizioni scelte, 1978. M22. F88. T61

    Commentary on the preface by Christopher Hogwood in Italian Music and the Fitzwilliam, 1976. M1141. C3

    Translation of the preface in Carol McClintock’s Readings in the History of Music and Performance. Bllomington, Indiana University Press, 1979. M1457. R4

Fuhrmann, Martin Heinrich. Musikalischer Trichter...(Franckfurt anf der Spree, 1706) Italian ornamentation.

Did not find in IUCAT

Gasparini, Francesco. L’Armonico prattico al cimbalo. (Venice, 1708).  Continuo.

    Translation by Frank Stillings. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press, 1963. MT49. G249

Geminiani, Francesco. The Art of Accompaniment...(London, 1753).  Continuo.

    MT262 Microcards

Geminiani, The Art of Playing the Violin...(London, 1751).  Violin.

    Facs. ed., by David Boyden. London, 1952. MT262. G32 1751

Geminiani, Francesco, A treatise of Good Taste in the Art of Musick. (London, 1749).  General.

    MT170 Microcards

    Reprinted with new intro. by Robert Donington. New York: Da Capo, 1969. MT80. G32 T7

Giustiniani, Vincenzo. Discorso sopra la musica. (Rome, 1628).  General.

    Ed. and trans. by Carol McClintock. Amer. Institute of Musicology, 1962. ML193. M12

Heinichen, Johann David. Der General-Bass in der Composition.  (Dresden, 1728).  Continuo

    Comentary and Translation in George Buelow’s Thorough-Bass Accompaniment According to Johann David Heinichen.  Berkeley, 1966. MT49 .B92

Herbst, Johann Andrea. Musica practica sive instructio pro symphoniacis...(Nürmberg, 1642).  MT915 Microcard

Hiller, Johann Adam. Anweisung zum musikalisch-zierlichen Gesange. (Leipzig, 1780). Singing.

    Trans. and commentary by Suzanne Beicken. Cambridge:  CUP, 2001. MT840. H6613

Hotteterre, Jacques Martin. Pricipes de la flûte traversière, ou flute d’Allemagne_...(Paris, 1707)  Flute.

    Trans. by David Lasocki. New York: Praeger, 1968.  MT342. H834

    Trans. by Paul Douglas. New York: Dover, 1968. MT342. H83 R9

Kellner, David. Treulicher Unterricht im General-Bass. (Hamburg, 1732).  Continuo.

    Facs. Ed.: Hildesheim, G. Olms, 1979. MT49. A2 K3

Kirnberger, Johann Philipp. Die Kunst des reinen Satzes in der Musik. (Berlin, 1774-76).  General.

    Vol. 1 and part 1 of Vol. 2 trans. by David Beach and Juegm Thyme as The art of strict musical composition. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press, 1982. MT40. K5713

L’Affilard, Michel. Principes très-faciles pour bien apprendre la musique (Paris, 1694).  Instruction manual.

    Facs. ed., Geneve: Minkoff, 1979. MT870. L16 1979.

    Commentary in Erich Schwandt’s “L’Affilard on the French Court Dances,” Musical Quarterly 53 (1977): 99.

    Schwandt is refuted by John O”Donnell in Early Music 8 (January, 1980): 79-81.

Loulié, Etienne. Eléments ou principes de musique. (Paris, 1696).  Instruction manual.

    Trans.  Albert Cohen. Brooklynn, 1965. MT7. A2 L883

Mace, Thomas. Musick’s Monument...(London, 1658).  Lute and viola da gamba

    Facs ed., Paris: Éditions du CNRS, 1958-1966. MT640. M14 v.1 & 2

       New York: Broude Bros. MT640. M14 B8

Majer, Jospeh Friederich Bernhard Caspar. Museum musicum theoretico practicum. (Schwäbisch Hall, 1732)  Organology.

    Facs. ed., Kassel: Bärenreiter-Verlag, 1954. MT6.A2 M23

Mancini, Giovanni-Battista. Riflessioni prattiche sul canto figurato. (Milan, 1777)

    Singing: Italy

    Different editions are compared and translated  by Edward Foreman. Champaign: Pro Musica Press, 1967. MT845. M26 P83

Marpurg, Friederich Wilhelm. Anleitung zum Clavierspielen. (Berlin, 1755).  Keyboard.

    Trans. Elizabeth Hays, Ph.d. Diss., Stanford 1977.   MT224. M3513 1976, v. 1 & 2

Mattheson, Johann. Der Vollkomene Capellmeister. (Hamburg, 1739).  General.

    Facs. ed . Kassel: Bärenreiter-Verlag, 1954. MT85. M43

    Trans. Ernest C. Harriss. Ann Arbor: UMI Research Press, 1981. MT85. M43 1981

Mersenne, Marin. Harmonie Universelle. (Paris, 1636).  General.

    Facs. ed., Paris: CNRS, 1975. ML100. M56 v.1, 2, 3.

     Translated in   R.F. William’s Marin Mersenne: an Edited Translation of the Fourth Treatise... University of Rochester thesis, 1972. ML100. M562 v.1&2

    John B. Egan, Traité de l’harmonie universelle:  a  Critical Translation  of the Second Book. Indiana University thesis, 1962. MZ1. E28

    Roger Chapman. Harmonie Unuverselle: the Books on Instruments. The Hague: M. Nijhoff, 1957. ML100 . M57 (lost!)

Montéclair, Michel Pignolet de. Nouvelle methode pour apprende la musique. (Paris, 1709).  Instruction manual.

Facs. ed., MT365. Microfilm

Montéclair, Michel Pignolet de. Principes de musique divisez en quatre parties. (Paris, 1736).

    Facs. ed., MT835. M77

    Trans, Constance Keffer. University of Arizona Thesis, 1977. MT6. M75 K34

Montéclair, Michel Pignolet de. Methode facile pour apprendre à jouer du violon.

Mozart, J. G. Leopold. Versuch einer grundlichen Violinschule.  (Augsburg, 1756).

    Trans. Editha Knocker, London, 1948. MT262. M9344 T7 1951 (2nd ed.)

Muffat, Georg. Suavoris harmoniae instrumentalis hyporchematicae Florilegium primum. (Augsburg, 1695).

    Ed. In Denkmäler der Tonkunst in Oesterreich, I/2.  M2. D39

Muffat,  Georg.  ...Florilegium secundum. (Passau, 1698)

    Denkmäler der Tonkunst in Oesterreich, II, 2. M2. D39

    Translation and commentary in Wilson, David K., ed. and trans.  Georg Muffat on performance practice: the texts from Florilegium primum, Florilegium secundum, and Auserlesene Instrumentalmusik: a new translation with commentary.  Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2001. ML457 .M83

North, Roger. Roger North on Music. ed. John Wilson. (London, 1695-1728). ML160. N62

Penna, Lorenzo. Gli primi albori musicali per il principianti della musica figurata.  (Bologna, 1672 & 1679).  Continuo.

    Facs, ed., MT6 – Missing

Perrine. Livre de musique pour le lut. (Paris, 1679)

    Facs. ed., Geneve: Minkoff reprint. MT640. P458 L4 1973

Perrine. Pieces de luth en musique avec des regles pour toucher parfaitment. (Paris, 1680).  Lute and harpsichord.

    facs. ed., Bologna:  Ut Orpheus Edizioni, 1995. M140. P53 1995

Playford, John. A Breefe Introduction to the skill of Musick fo song and Violl. (London, 1654)

    “A musicall banquet...” M990. L42 M8 Microfilm

    Ed. Franklin Zimmerman. New York, Da Capo, 1972. MT7. P722

    1683 ed. MT7 Microcards

Praetorius, Michael. Syntagma Musicum. (1614-19) Vol. 1 discusses music of the ancients and ecclesiastical music. Vol.2  discusses all of the instruments of  Praetorius’s day. Vol. 3 discusses music and performance.

Facs. ed., ML100. A2 P89 v. 1-3

Vol. 1, pt .1 translated by Michael David Fleming. Washington University thesis, 1979. ML100. A2 P89

Vol 2 translated by Hrold Blumenfeld. New York: Bärenreiter, 1962. ML467. P8 1962 adn David Crookes. Oxford: Clarendon, 1986. ML.467. P8 1986      

Vol. 3 translated by Hans Lampl. American Choral Directors Association, 2001. 5076622—Frontlog

Prelleur, Peter. The Modern Musick-Master. (London, 1730)

    Facs. ed., Kassel: Bärenreiter, 1965. MT823. P92

Quantz, Johann Joachim. Versuch einer Anweisung  die flöte traversière zu spielen (Berlin,1752). 

    Facs ed., of the 3rd edition. Kassel: Bärenreiter, 1953. MT342. Q15 V4

    Translation by Edward  R. Reilly. New York: The Free Press, 1966. MT342. Q15 V42 1985

Quitschreiber, Georg. Musikuchlein für die Jugend 1607.

    MT7. Q8 M8 Microfiche

Rognoni  , Francesco. Selva de varii passaggi. (Milan, 1620) Part I: Rules for singing, including ornaments and some compositions. Part II:  discussions about instruments and performance.

    Facs. ed., Bologna: Forni, 1983. MT885. R73

    Part I: trans. into English. Zürich: Musik Hug: Musikverlag zum Pelikan, 1987. MT885. R73 pt. 1

Rousseau, Jean. Methode claire, ceraine, et facile, pour apprendre à chanter la musique. (Paris, 1678)

    Facs. ed. Geneve: Minkoff,  1976. MT835. R74 1976

Rousseau, Jean. Traité de la viole.  (Paris, 1688)

    Facs. ed., Amsterdam: Antiqua, 1965. MT338. R864

    Trans. Gordon Kinney, 197?. MT338. R7 Microfilm

    Trans. Robert Green, Ph.D. Diss., Indiana University, 1979. MZ1. G7972

Saint Lambert, Michel de. Les principes du clavecin. (Paris: 1702)

    Facs. ed., Geneve: Minkoff, 1972. Not in IUCAT

    Eng. trans. and commentary in Rebecca Harris-Warrick, Principles of the Harpsichord by monsieur de Saint Lambert, Cambridge: CUP, 1984. MT252. S24 P7413.

Saint Lambert, Michel de. Nouveau traité de l’accompagnement du clavecin, de l’orgue, et autres instruments. (Paris, 1707)

    Facs. ed., Geneve: Minkoff, 1972. MT224: A2 S145

    Eng. trans. and commentary in John S. Powell, A new treatise on accompaniment : with the harpsichord, the organ, and with other instruments (Bloomington: Indiana U. Press, 1991). MT68 .S15

Simpson, Christopher. The Division-Violist: or, an Introduction to the Playing upon a Ground. (London: 1659)

    Facs. ed., New York: Performer’s Facsimile’s, 1998. AKH4135.

Spadi, Giovanni  Battista. Passaggi ascendenti & descendenti...con madrigali diminuite per sonare. (Venice, 1609; 1624)

    Bologna: A. Forni, 1979. AES5057 Frontlog Scores

Talbot, James. Ms. notes on musical instruments, in  Oxford Church Library, Music Ms. 1187.

    The Galpin Society Journal, I, III, XIV, XV, 1960. ML5 G17

    see also ML467. T35 Microfilm

Tartini, Giuseppe. Traité des agréments de la musique. 

    English  Trans by Cuthbert Girdlestone. Celle: New York: H. Moeck, 1961. MT80. T19 1961

Tartini, Giuseppe. Trattado di musica secondo la vera scinza dell’armonia. (Padua, 1754)

    Freely translated by Benjamin Stillingfleet in Principles and Power of Harmony. London, 1771. MT245. Microfilm

Tosi, Pier Francesco. Opinioni de’ cantori antichi e moderni. (Bologna, 1723)

    Eng. trans. by J.E. Galliard in Observations on the Florid Song. London, 1742. MT820. A2 T7 1743.

Viadana, Lodovico Grossi da. Cento concerti ecclesiastici. (Venice, 1602) M3. V598 Ser. 1, v. 1.