A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Saggio di Contrapunto

by William Smyth Rockstro

SAGGIO DI CONTRAPPUNTO (Pattern of Counterpoint). A very important work, published, at Bologna, in 1774–5, by the Padre Giambattista Martini, in two large 4to volumes, dedicated to Cardinal Vincenzo Malvezzi, and now becoming very scarce. The full title, 'Esemplare, o sia saggio fondamentale pratico di contrappunto sopra il canto fermo,' etc., sufficiently explains the design of the work, in which the author endeavours to teach the Art of Counterpoint, rather by reference to the most perfect obtainable models, than by any code of written laws. The method adopted for this purpose is above all praise. The bulk of the volume consists of a series of examples, in the form of Motets, Madrigals, Movements from Masses, and other similar Compositions, selected from the works of the greatest Masters of the 16th and 17th centuries, beautifully printed, from moveable types, in lozenge-headed notes, resembling those found in Italian Part-Books of the best period, but, without the Ligatures which render those books so puzzling to the modern Musician. The Masters selected are, Agostini, Animuccia, Barbieri, Baroni, Benevoli, Bernabei, Caresana, Cifra, Clari, Corvo, Falconio, Foggia, Gabussi, Gesualdo, Lotti, Marcello, Marenzio, Minarti, Monteverde, Morales, Navarro di Siviglia, Nitrami, Olstani, Ortiz, Pacohioni, Palestrina, P. Pontio Parmigiano, Pasquale, Perti, Piocchi, Porta, Predieri, Riccieri, Rota, A. Scarlatti, Stradella, Turini, Vittoria, Willaert, Zarlino, and several Anonymi. The works are arranged in accordance with the characteristics of their respective Schools; and each Movement is illustrated by a copious series of annotations, explaining its general design, pointing out the various devices employed in its construction, and calling particular attention to its merits, and the lessons to be learned from it. The amount of sound scholarship, and able criticism, displayed in these annotations, renders the work extremely valuable for purposes of study; while the rarity of the original edition suggests the desirableness of a careful reprint.

[ W. S. R. ]