A structural study of the tenor of a previously unidentified polyphonic intabulation, included in the Faenza Biblioteca Comunale Fa117, provides important clues in regard to its origin. An initial investigation of the tenor shows similarities with the four isorhythmic motets of Johannes Ciconia, especially his Doctorum principem. Close parallels between specific sections of the unidentified work and Doctorum principem support this hypothesis, but other factors need to be considered. The hoquetus which occurs at the end of the first two statements of the talea in the intabulation is not repeated after the third repetition. Comparing this phenomenon to the works in the manuscript, it seems possible that the intabulation is actually transcribed from a Mass movement and the missing hoquetus falls right where an Amen would have been sung. The original three-voiced polyphonic work may be partially reconstructed from the two-voiced intabulation by interpolating the autoimitations in the cantus.

Works: Faenza Biblioteca Comunale Fa117, fols. 93r-94r (46-67).

Sources: Johannes Ciconia: Doctorum principem (50-53).

Index Classifications: 1400s

Contributed by: Randy Goldberg