Chansonnier of Margaret of Austria

General information

Title: Chansonnier of Margaret of Austria

Genre, Subgenre: Sacred and secular, Chansons and motets. Language: French, Latin, Dutch, Flemish.

Publication date and place: 1516 –23 in Brussels/Mechelen. – Manuscript

Description: A manuscript of polyphony associated with Margaret of Austria, copied in Brussels/Mechelen between 1516 and 1523, with portions added no earlier than 1519. It contains 58 compositions: 7 motets, 8 motet-chansons, 39 French secular pieces, 3 Latin secular pieces, and 1 Flemish secular piece. The repertory comprises works by composers including Pierre de la Rue, Alexander Agricola, Josquin des Prez, Loyset Compère, Jean de Ockeghem, Marbrianus de Orto, Johannes Prioris, Franciscus Strus, and Gaspar van Weerbeke, together with anonymous works.

Source: B-Br MS 228 (Chansonnier of Margaret of Austria)
Archive: KBR (Koninklijke Bibliotheek / Bibliothèque royale), Brussels, Belgium
Notation: black void mensural
Surface: parchment
Measurements: 365 × 260 mm
Foliation: modern foliation
Other identifier: CCM: BrusBR 228
Facsimile / description: IDEM: B-Br MS 228

List of works

Folio	Title	Composer	Voices	Comment
1v–2	Ave sanctissima Maria mater Dei piissima	Claudin de Sermisy (?) Pierre de la Rue Philippe Verdelot (?)	6	B-Baeb-Fonds-Sint-Goedele-9424 fol. [2]v B-Bcpas-ms-H1135 fol. [1]r [Picker 1965] proposes attribution to La Rue; Attribution to Verdelot and Sermisy generally considered doubtful or a misattribution B-Baeb-Fonds-Sint-Goedele-9424: [Superius] and last part of [Bassus] only, incomplete
3v–4	Tous les regrets qui les coeurs tormentés	Josquin des Prez (?) Pierre de la Rue (?)	4	DIAMM no. 28.34 B-Br-ms-11239 fol. 9v-11r V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953 fol. 8v-9r [Grove Music Online]: Misattribution to Josquin in D-Rp C120 B-Br-ms-11239: Composer name in ms = 'de [la] rue' (musical note in composer's name) V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953: Composer name in ms = 'Rue' Title as in ms = 'Tous les regrets' Text: incipit only
4v–5	De l'oeil de la fille du roi	Pierre de la Rue	4	I-Fc MS Basevi 2439 (Basevi Codex), fol. 9v–10 Composer name in ms = 'Rue' Incomplete: [Superius] and [Tenor] only as facing page is lost V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953: Title as in ms = 'Cenest pasieu' Text: incipit only
5v–6	Ce n'est pas jeu	Pierre de la Rue	4	B-Br-ms-11239 fol. 23v V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953 fol. 11v-12r B-Br-ms-11239: Composer name in ms = 'delarue' Title as in ms = 'De l'euil de la fille du roy' Text: only verse 1, fully underlaid in Superius, no verse 2 and 3.
6v–7	Secrets regrets de nature ennemis par grief	Pierre de la Rue	4
7v–8	Deuil et ennuy	Anonymous	5	A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-1 fol. 9r-9v A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-2 fol. 9v-10r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-3 fol. 10r-10v A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-4 fol. 9v-10r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-5 fol. 10r-10v [Van Maldeghem 1865-93 R], [Picker 1965], [Bernstein 1991] and [Milsom 1993] propose support attribution to La Rue A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-1: Text incipit only: 'Deueil et ennuy' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-2: Text incipit only: 'Deueil et ennuy' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-3: Text incipit only: 'Deueil et ennuy' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-4: Text incipit only: 'Deul et ennuy'
8v–9	Trop plus secret que ma partie suis	Pierre de la Rue	4	V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953 fol. 7v-8r V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953: Composer name in ms = 'P. De la Rue' Title as in ms = 'Trop plus secret' Text: incipit only
9v–10	Autant en porte le vent	Pierre de la Rue	4
10v–11	Il est bien heureux	Pierre de la Rue	4
11v–12	Pourquoi non ne veuil je morir	Pierre de la Rue	4	B-Br-ms-11239 fol. 18v-20r V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953 fol. 7r-7v V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953: Composer name in ms = 'P De la Rue' Title as in ms = 'Pour quoy non' Text: incipit only
12v–13	Ce m'est tout ung	Anonymous	4	Attribution to La Rue in [Picker 1965], [Milsom 1993] B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transciption in [Picker 1965], 215-18
13v–14	Pour ce que je suis	Pierre de la Rue (?) Loyset Compère (?)	4
14v–15	Quant il survient	Pierre de la Rue (?)	4	B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transcription in [Picker 1965], 223-25
15v–16	Je n'ai deuil que je ne suis morte	Jean de Ockeghem	4	B-Br-ms-IV-90 fol. 24r-25r B-Br-ms-IV-1274 fol. 10r-11r
16v–17	Mijn herz altijt heeft verlanghen	Jacobus Obrecht (?) Pierre de la Rue (?)	4	B-Br-ms-IV-90 fol. 26r-26v B-Br-ms-IV-1274 fol. 14r-15r V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953 fol. 10r-10v [Kessels 1987] argues that La Rue based his setting neither on a folk song nor on one of the three-part arrangements, which are instead "imitations" of La Rue’s setting. B-Br-ms-IV-90: Incomplete due to lost folio between fol. 25 and 26: from '... heel u eyghen zo willic zyn' on Superius and Tenor parts were exchanged: the Superius part was copied into the Tenor partbook, and the Tenor into the Superius partbook. B-Br-ms-IV-1274: Incomplete: first part is missing due to lost folio between fol. 13 and 14 V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953: Title as in ms = 'Mein herz alzit' Text: incipit only
17v–18	Fors seulement l'atent que je meure (II)	Mattheus Pipelare Pierre de la Rue (?)	4	B-Br-ms-IV-90 fol. 20v-21v B-Br-ms-IV-1274 fol. 7r-7v [Picker 1965]: The attribution to La Rue [in Petrucci, Canti B numero cinquanta] is probably incorrect
18v–19	Du tout plongiet / Fors seulement	Alexander Agricola (?) Antoine Brumel (?)	4
19v–20	Revenez tous regrets / Quis det	Alexander Agricola	4	B-Br-ms-11239 fol. 11v-13r B-Br-ms-11239: Composer name in ms = 'alexand. Agricola'
20v–22	Je n'ai deuil - 1a pars (of 2): Je n'ai deuil que de vous ne viegne	Alexander Agricola	4	V-CVbav-ms-Capp.Giulia.XIII.27 fol. 45v-47r V-CVbav-ms-Capp.Giulia.XIII,27: Composer name in ms = 'Agricola' Title as in ms (index) = 'Genay de duel' Text: incipit 'Ge nay de duel' only
22v–23	Deuil et ennuy / Quoniam tribulatio	Johannes Prioris	4
23v–24	Maria mater gratiae	Anonymous	5	A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-1 fol. 47v-48r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-2 fol. 52v-53r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-3 fol. 57v-58r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-4 fol. 52v-53r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-5 fol. 51v-52r [Picker 1965] proposes attribution to La Rue A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-1: Text incipit only: 'Maria m[ate]r gracie' Title as in ms = 'Fors seullement . Quinque vocum . alleluya' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-2: Text incipit only: 'Maria m[ate]r gracie' Title as in ms = 'Fors seullement . Cum quinque' fol. 52r: inscription: 'clare van diest heft hier gheweest' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-3: Text incipit only: 'Maria m[ate]r gracie' Title as in ms = 'Fors seullement . Cum quinque' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-4: Text incipit only: 'Fors seullement' 'Canon In subdyapason' Title as in ms = 'Maria m[ate]r gr[aci]e' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-5: Text incipit only: 'Maria mater gracie' Title as in ms = 'Fors seullement Cum quinque [vocum]' B-Br-ms-228: 'Bassus 2[secundus]': 'Indyapason'
24v–25	Dulces exuviae dum fata Deusque	Alexander Agricola	4	GB-Lbl-ms-Royal-MS-8-G-VII fol. 52v-53r [Picker 1965], 90: 'Three Latin compositions in MS 228 for four voices belong to a special category of "motets" based on classical Latin texts, in these cases passages from Vergil's 'Aeneid'. From a musical point of view they must be considered a variety of motet rather than chanson, for they possess the continuous polyphonic texture typical of the motet without the internal repetitions and recurrent rhythmic patterns that characterize the usual chanson of arount 1500.'
25v–26	Sancta Maria succurre miseris	Franciscus Strus	4	GB-Lbl-ms-Royal-MS-8-G-VII fol. 21v-22r B-Br-ms-228: 'Tenor' is textless and borrowed from the anonymous German or Flemish Lied, 'O werder mondt mund'
26v–27	Soubz ce tumbel	Pierre de la Rue (?)	4	Attribution to Josquin supported in [Picker 1965]
27v–28	Plus nulz regrets grand moiens	Josquin des Prez	4	DIAMM no. 28.28 B-Br-ms-IV-90 fol. 15r-16v B-Br-ms-IV-1274 fol. 1r-2v V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953 fol. 4r-4v B-Br-ms-228: Composer name in ms = 'Josquin des pres' V-CVbav-ms-Vat.lat.11953: Composer name in ms = 'Josquin' Text: incipit only; incomplete due to missing folio
28v–29	Entre je suis en grand pensée	Josquin des Prez	4	DIAMM no. 28.13
29v–30	Vexilla regis prodeunt / Passio Domini	Pierre de la Rue	4	B-Br-ms-11239 fol. 14v-15r GB-Lbl-ms-Royal-MS-8-G-VII fol. 14v-15r B-Br-ms-11239: Composer name in ms = 'de la Rue'
30v–31	Dulces exuviae dum fata Deusque	Marbrianus de Orto	4	[Picker 1965], 90: 'Three Latin compositions in MS 228 for four voices belong to a special category of "motets" based on classical Latin texts, in these cases passages from Vergil's 'Aeneid'. From a musical point of view they must be considered a variety of motet rather than chanson, for they possess the continuous polyphonic texture typical of the motet without the internal repetitions and recurrent rhythmic patterns that characterize the usual chanson of arount 1500.'
31v–32	Fama malum quo non velocius ullum	Anonymous	4	[Picker 1965], 90: 'Three Latin compositions in MS 228 for four voices belong to a special category of "motets" based on classical Latin texts, in these cases passages from Vergil's 'Aeneid'. From a musical point of view they must be considered a variety of motet rather than chanson, for they possess the continuous polyphonic texture typical of the motet without the internal repetitions and recurrent rhythmic patterns that characterize the usual chanson of arount 1500.'
32v–33	Quant il advient choses	Anonymous	5	B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transciption in [Picker 1965], 300-03
33v–35	Proch dolor amissum terris Germanica / Pie Jesu domine	Josquin des Prez (?)	7	[Van Maldeghem 1865-93 R] proposes attribution to La Rue but since the motet is written for the death of Maximilian in 1519 this is not possible since La Rue died in 1518 [Picker 1965] proposes attribution to Josquin Desprez B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transcription in [Picker 1965], 304-315 Written in black mensural notation 'Canon' indicates a triple canon at descending pitch levels; a repeat sign after the first phrase of the cantus firmus indicates threefold repetition
36v–37	Cest ma fortune envis le dis ainsy	Anonymous	4	B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transcription in [Picker 1965],316-19
37v–38	Las helas las seray-je repris	Anonymous	4	B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transcription in [Picker 1965], 320-23
38v–39	Helas faut il qu'a vous priser	Anonymous	4
39v–40	Considera Israel - 4a pars (of 4): Doleo super te frater mi Jonathas	Pierre de la Rue	4	GB-Lbl-ms-Royal-MS-8-G-VII fol. 17v-18r V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1976 fol. 48r-51v V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1977 fol. 50r-54v V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1978 fol. 46v-50v V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1979 fol. 46v-50v B-Br-ms-228: Only 'quarta pars' of the motet in this source: 'Doleo super te' GB-Lbl-ms-Royal-MS-8-G-VII: Only 'quarta pars' of the motet in this source: 'Doleo super te' V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1976: Composer name in ms = 'P. Rue' Title as in ms (index) = 'Considera Israel' 'Sagita Jonathe tacet' Filie Israel: [Tenor] tacet V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1977: Title as in ms (index) = 'Considera Israel' V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1978: Title as in ms (index) = 'Considera Israel' V-CVbav-ms-Pal.lat.1979: Title as in ms (index) = 'Considera Israel' 'Filie israel tacet'
40v–42	Coeurs desoles / Dies illa	Anonymous	5
42v–43	Plusieurs regrets qui sur la terre sont	Anonymous	4	B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transcription in [Picker 1965], 339-42
43v–44	Changier ne veulx c'est mon plaisir	Anonymous	4	B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transcription in [Picker 1965], 343-46
44v–45	Apres regrets il se faut rejouir	Anonymous	4	B-Br-ms-228: Unicum Transcription in [Picker 1965], 347-50
45v–46	Me fauldra il tousiours ainsi languir	Pierre de la Rue (?)	4
46v–47	Il me fait mal de vous veoir	Pierre de la Rue (?)	3
47v–48	Anima mea liquefacta est ut dilectus meus	Gaspar van Weerbeke	4	Motet in the cycle 'Ave mundi domina'
48v–49	Plaine de deuil et de merencolie voyant	Josquin des Prez	5	DIAMM no. 29.20 A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-1 fol. 36r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-2 fol. 39v A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-3 fol. 43v-44v A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-4 fol. 38v-39r A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-5 fol. 37v-38v A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-1: Text incipit only: 'Plaine de doul' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-2: Text incipit only: 'Plaine de doeul' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-3: Text incipit only: 'Plaine de doul' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-4: Text incipit only: 'Plaine de doul' A-Wn-ms-Mus.Hs.18746-5: Text incipit only: 'Plaine de doul'
50v–51	Pour un jamais un regret me demeure	Pierre de la Rue	3
51v–52	Tous nobles ceurs qui mes regrets voyez	Pierre de la Rue	3
52v–53	A vous non autre servir	Pierre de la Rue	3
53v–54	Va t'en regrets celluy qui me convoyé	Loyset Compère	3	B-Br-ms-11239 fol. 6v-7r B-Br-ms-IV-90 fol. 3v-4v B-Br-ms-228: Only one stanza B-Br-ms-11239: Composer name in ms = 'compere' Full text
54v–55	Sourdez regrets avironnez mon coeur	Loyset Compère	3	B-Br-ms-IV-90 fol. 5r-6r
55v–56	Plaine d'ennuy de longue main / Anima mea	Loyset Compère	3	B-Br-ms-11239 fol. 27v-28r B-Br-ms-228: Full texts B-Br-ms-11239: Full texts
56v–58	Se je souspire / Ecce iterum	Pierre de la Rue (?)	3
58v–59	Pauper sum ego / Ce pouvre mendiant / Fortune d'estrange plumaige	Josquin des Prez	3	DIAMM no. 27.5
59v–60	O vos omnes qui transitis / O devots coeurs	Loyset Compère (?) Jacobus Obrecht (?)	3	Source attribution: O devotz cuers / O vos omnes B-Br-ms-IV-90 fol. 7v-8v [Picker 1965], 143: Misattribution to Obrecht in CH-SGs 463
60v–62	Se je vous eslonge - 1a pars (of 2): Se je vous eslonge de l'oeil	Hayne van Ghizeghem (?) Alexander Agricola (?)	3	GB-Ob-ms-Ashmole-831 fol. 260r-260v [Grove Music Online]: Misattribution to Hayne in I-Fr 2794; undoubtedly by Agricola, to whom it is ascribed in I-Fn Magl.XIX.178 GB-Ob-ms-Ashmole-831: Incomplete: 'Tenor' and 'Bassus' only at beginning of the chanson On fol. 260v [Superius] texted 'Hellas de vous' but [Tenor] and [Bassus] missing
62v–64	L'heure est venue de me plaindre	Alexander Agricola	3	V-CVbav-ms-Capp.Giulia.XIII.27 fol. 50v-52r V-CVbav-ms-Capp.Giulia.XIII,27: Title as in ms (index) = 'Lo Re venuse ' Text: incipit 'Lore venue' only
64v–65	Je ne scay plus que je doy dire	Anonymous	3
65v–66	Je ne dis mot il convient	Anonymous	6
66v–67	J'ai mis mon ceur en un lieu seullement	Anonymous	3
67v–68	Triste suis de vostre langheur	Anonymous	3

References

• Bernstein, Lawrence F. 1991. A Canonic Chanson in a German Manuscript ... Chansonnier and the 'Loire Valley' Chansonniers.
• Kessels, Leon. 1987. The Brussels/Tournai-Partbooks: Structure, Illumination, and Flemish Repertory. Tijdschrift van de Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis, 37, 97-100.
• Milsom, John. 1993. Instrumental Music and the Presence of Foreign Musicians in the English Court.
• Picker, Martin. 1965. The Chanson Albums of Marguerite of Austria: MSS 228 and 11239 of the Bibliothèque Royale de Belgique, Brussels. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
• Van Maldeghem, Robert J. 1865-1893. Trésor musical: collection authentique de musique sacrée et profane des anciens maîtres belges. Brussels: Librairie européenne de C. Muquardt.

External websites:

• DIAMM: B-Br MS 228 (Chansonnier of Margaret of Austria)