Companion to
Heinrich Isaac, Collected Works
Giovanni Zanovello, General Editor
II. Choralis Constantinus II
Edited by David J. Burn, Ruth I. DeFord, and Stefan Gasch
With the assistance of Leofranc Holford-Strevens (texts) and Marianne C. E. Gillion (monophonic chant)
CMM 115-2
American Institute of Musicology, ©2021
Assistant Editor for the Online Editorial Notes: Christine Goss
Heinrich Isaac (c. 1450/55-1517) was one of the most outstanding and prolific composers of his generation. His career profile was also among the most distinctive, with periods in service not only of the Medici in Florence but also at the Habsburg court of Emperor Maximilian I in Austria. The New Isaac Edition presents this composer’s output following up-to-date critical scholarly principles and using the newest research.
The second volume of Isaac’s monumental posthumous mass proper collection known as the Choralis Constantinus contains twenty-five cycles for the most important church feasts, including Easter and Christmas. The present edition supersedes the previous complete one, which Anton von Webern prepared over a century ago. Based on a vastly expanded number of sources, it sheds new light on the publication history and transmission of Isaac's materials. Uniquely, the edition includes chant supplements not contained in the original sources, but which are necessary for complete performances of the pieces. The complete chant cantus firmi are presented in a comprehensive appendix.