Publisher's Synopsis
This work proposes a reinterpretation of two major repertories of 12th century polyphony - that associated with the long-destroyed Abbey of Saint Martial de Limoges, and the manuscript preserved in the Cathedral Archive of Santiago de Compostela. Together, these comprise the most important collection of polyphonic music before the School of Notre Dame. The absence of contemporary rules for harmony, rhythm, and notation in this music has led to disagreement among modern scholars as to how this music should be transcribed. This commentary and edition represents a new approach to matters of syllable-change, mensuration, and notation, which are likely to be controversial but which are scrupulously and convincingly defended. The transcriptions themselves should be welcomed by performing musicians, to whom an important repertory now becomes readily available.
