Lynar Tablatures

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The Lynar tablatures are a collection of manuscripts that are currently held in the Staatsbibliothek, Berlin. It has been interpreted as one of the most important sources for the works of the North-German pupils of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.

All of the Lynar Tablatures except B 2 and C 1 are already digitized. However, it appears that B 2 is currently being digitized[as of September, 2023][1].

History[2]

The first Lynar tablatures that were known to musicologists were the A 1 and A 2 manuscripts. These two manuscripts had copies made of them in the middle of the 19th century. Later in the 19th century both manuscripts went missing (In the 1894 edition of keyboard works of Sweelinck, Max Seiffert could only rely on the 1841 copy). However, the "A" manuscripts were fortunately found in 1920, and around this time the 11 manuscripts in tablature notation were discovered by Rochus Friedrich zu Lynar. All 13 manuscripts were collected and stored in the Spreewald museum in Lübbenau-Lehde. In 1933[3] Max Seiffert inspected the manuscripts and assigned the shelfmarks starting with A (referring to staff notation) and B (tablature notation). The description penciled on the front of each manuscript is written by Seiffert.

In 1956, the manuscripts were moved to the Staadtsbibliothek, Berlin, retaining their previous shelfmarks.

Description

According to the Berlin Staatsbibliothek website, the shelfmark for the manuscripts is stylized Ms. Lynar A 1, Ms. Lynar B 2, etc.

Analysis

Pieter Dirksen[4]

The Lynar B tablatures have proven valuable as a source of works from the North-German Sweelinck school as well as from Sweelinck himself, as thirteen works (including 10 not known from any other source) by him are found within.

Dirksen interprets the 11 "B" tablatures as forming a unified whole because it can be identified that some of the unknown copyists wrote more than one manuscript each.

As for the originating location of the manuscripts, the area of Gdańsk (german: Danzig) was theorized based on the inclusion of pieces by Paul Siefert and Andreas Neunhaber. Similarly based on circumstantial evidence, the manuscripts can be dated to around the 1620s (even though some pieces within can be dated to later). One date found within the manuscript, 1628, also suggests this.

Dirksen notes that the works by Sweelinck must have been transcribed from Anglo-Dutch staff notation to New German Tablature Notation.

Contents

You can help pipe-organ.wiki!

Can you...

  • Complete the tables of pieces for the "A" tablatures?
  • Check the spelling of the headers of pieces in the manuscripts?
  • Read the cursive handwriting on the cover of each manuscript?

Lynar A 1[5][6]

Lynar A 2[7][8]

Lynar B 1[9][10][11]

Ms. Lynar B 1 contains 71 pages. Among other things, it contains a compilation of settings of Allein Gott in der Höh sey Ehr by different composers.

Works in D-B Mus. Ms. Lynar B 1
No. Title notes
1 Fantasia Auff die manier von ein Echo. M. J. P. S. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
2 Puer natusin Bethlehem a Paulus Sivert Paul Siefert
3 Nun komm der Heÿden Heÿlandt Paul Siefert?
4 Nun Lobe meine Seele den Herren Auff 2 Clavir D. H. Düben?
5 Wo Gott der Herr nicht beÿ unß Held auff 2 Clavir Andræ Duben Andreas Düben
6 Allein Gott inn der Höh seÿ Ehr. M. J. P. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
7 Variatio Bicinium M. J. P. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
8 Variatio coral in Tenor M. J. P. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
9 Variatio coral in cantu 4 Vocum M. J. P. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
10 Variatio Choral in Cantu auff 2 Clavier A. Duben Andreas Düben
11 Variatio choral in Basso A. D. Andreas Düben
12 Variatio Choral in Bass M. Duben Martin Düben
13 Variatio Choral in Baß 3 vocum
14 Varatio
15 Variatio Choral in Tenore 3 vocum P Hassen Petrus Hasse
16 Variatio 3 Vocum Choral in Basso P. Hass Petrus Hasse
17 Var. 12 G. S. Gottfried Scheidt
18 Var. Choral in Cantu auff 2 Clav. G. S. Gottfried Scheidt
19 4 vocum
20 Variatio Zum Alt vndt Tenor muße nur Stimmen von 4 Fuß gezogen werden
21 Variatio Choral in Cantu auf 2 Clav.
22 Variatio Choral in Tenore
23 Allein Gott in der Höh seÿ EHR: S. S. Samuel Scheidt
24 Allein Gott â 3 Vocum Choral in Bass W. Karges Wilhelm Karges
25 Erstanden ist der Heilige Christ M. D. Simpel - Auff 2. Clavir - Choral in Cantu auff 2. Clavier. - Coral in Basso 3. Voc: Martin Düben

Lynar B 2[12][13]

Description

Lynar B 2 is a folio volume over 30 pages.

It doesn't contain any clues as to its origin, copyist, or date. Some theories include that it was compiled in North Germany around 1620-1630 or by Melchior Schildt while he was in Copenhagen around 1626-1629. However, different hands can be identified as having copied different pieces in the manuscript, so it may have been compiled over a longer period of time.

The tablature contains only fantasias and chorale/psalm settings. Of the 17 pieces contained within, two are headed by initials which give a hint to the composer. Of the rest, three more can be identified based on concordances with other manuscripts. The composers of these five works are Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Melchior Schildt and Heinrich Scheidemann. The rest of these pieces remain anonymous, but can be attributed to various composers on stylistic grounds.

Works

Works in D-B Mus. Ms. Lynar B 2
No. Title notes Incipit
1 [Fanta]sia [mit B]indungen Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
2 Fantasia A 4 Anonymus: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
3 fantasia primi Toni A 4 Nun komm der Heiden Heiland
<< \relative g' { g1 g f1*1/4 } \\ \relative g { r2 g bes c d4 } >>
[12]
4 ach Gott vom him: mel sieh darein. Heinrich Scheidemann?
<< \relative a' { \key d \minor a1 bes2 a g } \\ \relative a' { r2 a2~ a4 g2 f4~ f ees } >>
[12]
5 Herr Christ der Einig Gottes Sohn… M.S Melchior Schildt
6 Wie schön leucht unß der Morgenstern 1 variation
<< \relative f' { f2 c' a f c' } \\ \relative c' { \key f \major r2 c f d c } >>

2 variatio
\relative f' { \key f \major f8 g a bes c4. bes8 a4. g8 }

3 variatio
<< \relative f' { f2 c' } \\ \relative bes { r8 bes a g f f' e d } >>

4 variatio
<< \relative f' { \time 6/4 \key f \major f4 a bes c2. } \\ \relative c' { r2. c4 d e } >>

5 variatio
<< \relative f' { \key f \major \clef bass f2 } \\ \relative f { f16 c' b c bes d c d } >>
[12]
7 Nun freut euch lieben Christen gmein 1 variatio
<< \relative f' { f1 f2 a } \\ \relative bes { r4 bes bes c d e f2\laissezVibrer } >>

2 variatio
<< \relative f' { \key f \major r4 f8 g a4 a8 bes } \\ \relative f { f2 f } \\ \relative a { a4 a8 bes c2\laissezVibrer } \\ \relative f  {\clef alto f2 r4 f8 g }>>

3 variatio
\relative bes { \clef alto \key f \major bes1 bes2 d c bes }

4 variatio
<< f'1 \\ \relative bes { \key f \major \clef bass r8 bes a g f ees d c } >>

5 variatio
<< \relative ees' { \key f \major ees8 f16 ees d16 e f d ees8 c'16 bes } \\ \relative c' { c4 bes c } >>
[12]
8 psalm 116 J. P. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
9 O Lux Beata Trinitas:
<< \relative d' { \clef bass d1 c1*1/4 } \\ \relative g { r4 g bes8 a g f ees4 }>>
[12]
10 psalm 60 A 2 Anonymus: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
11 O Gott du unser Vater bist Anonymus: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck 1 variatio
<< \relative e' { \clef alto e1 e2 d c b } \\ \relative a { R1 a1 a2 g } >>

2 variatio
<<\relative g' { \clef alto \key f \major g1 } \\ \relative g {  r4 g8 a bes g c4}>>

3 variatio
<< \relative d' { \clef alto \key f \major R1 d1 d2 d  } \\ \relative g { g1 g2 g d2. e4 } >>
[12]
12 P 23 Mein hütter Undt mein hirtt Anonymus: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
<< \relative g' { \key f \major g1 g8 a bes a g4 f8 e } \\ \relative g { R1 <g bes d>1 } >>
[12]
13 die 10 Gebott Gottes Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck 1 variatio
<< \relative c'' { c1 c2 d } \\ \relative c' { r4 c c d e f4. d8 g4 } >>

2 variatio
<< \relative c'' { c1*5/8 } \\ \relative a' { r8 a16 g f8 e16 d c8 } >>

3 variatio
<< \relative c'' { c1 } \\ \relative c' { c8 <c e>8 8 <d f> <e g> <d f> <c e> <b d> } >>

4 variatio
<< \relative g' { \clef alto r8 g c b a f g e } \\ \relative e { r4 e f e } \\ c'1 >>
[12]
14 Es spricht den unweisen Mundt woll Heinrich Scheidemann
15 Fuga Cromatico ex D.la.sol.re.
16 Fantasia A. 2: 3: et 4 Vocum Anonymus: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
17 Fantasia Super ut re mi fa.sol.la. A. 3. Vocum

After the publishing of 8 more works in Lynar B 2 by Pieter Dirksen in 1991, two works remain unpublished. The Fuga Cromatico and Fantasia Super ut re mi fa.sol.la. were described as "a brief composition employing imitation and simple chromatic lines" and "a pedantic, three-part hexachordal settings, in which the sogetto appears in the bass thirteen times in exactly the same form, constantly alternating between entries on c and G" respectively.

The setting of O God die onse Vader bist can for now be securely attributed to Sweelinck on the basis of the cantus firmus being a Dutch psalm in addition to stylistic features. Similarly, the setting of Psalm 23 can also be attributed to him, especially based on the similarities to Sweelinck's composition on Psalm 116 (which can be found in other manuscripts).

Confusingly, the manuscript contains a piece titled "fantasia primi / Toni A 4" which is neither a fantasia nor in the first tone. In fact, it is a chorale setting of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland.

<< \relative g' { \clef "treble_8" g1 g f bes a g a g2 r4 g bes2 g a4 g f e d e f g a bes c a bes c d2~ d4 cis8 b cis2_"etc." } \\ \relative g { s1*7 g1 g f bes a g a } \\ \\ \relative g { r2 g bes c d4 c bes a g a bes c d e f d e f g2~4 fis8 e fis2 g d d4 c d e f g a g f e d e f g a f g a g f e2 a } >>

It is possible that this heading was written by a different copyist before this work was written at a later date. In any case, this work only uses the first (identical with the last) line of the chorale (which means that this work could be classified as a choral ricercare or choral fugue), and the contrapuntal writing is strikingly plain and schematic. In fact, this piece has been described as containing a "peculiar monothematic compositional technique, which is probably unparalleled in the surviving corpus of seventeenth century choral settings."

According to Pieter Dirksen, the chorale fantasia Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh' darein stands apart from the other works in Lynar B 2, as it transmits a chorale fantasia in the fully mature form. This piece can be attributed to Heinrich Scheidemann based on a few factors, including the absence of so-called "simple echo combinations". It can be dated from around 1640-1650.

The setting of O Lux beata Trinitas appears to be a result of the early Sweelinck school based on some sixteenth-note figurations that can be found within it. However, it can not be found to be similar to any single composer on stylistic grounds. The cantus firmus appears in the tenor voice completely un-ornamented in long notes. This arrangement suggests that it can be played in pedal, but the voice rises up to f' which would require a 4-foot stop to be used on an organ with a 27-note pedalboard.

Lynar B 3[14][15]

Works in D-B Mus. Ms. Lynar B 3
No. Title notes
1 [fragment] Recto folio only
1 Praeludium [fragment] Recto folio only
2 Praludium
3 Praeludium
4 Praludium
5 Praludium / H S M H S M = Heinrich Scheidemann
6 Vater unser / in Himmel / reich. / MW. C. B. M. // 2 Variation // 3 3 verses. Final verse is succeeded by "Verte [sic.]"
7-9 Fantasia / J. P. [?]
10 Fantasia. / 6 toni.
11 Praludium / pedaliter
11 Praeludium
12 Herr Christ / der einige Gott / es dahin [?]
13 Praludium
14 Praludium
15 Praludium
16 Praludium / secundi Toni / Auf 2 Clavir / und pedahll. Succeeded by "finis"
17-19 Fantasia Succeeded by "finis".
20-21 [20] Vater unser / im himmell / reich Corahll / im Bas. // [21] 2 Vers auf // 2 ine[?] Clavier / und pedahll 2 verses. 1st verse succeeded by "verte". 2nd verse succeeded by "finis"
22-23 O Mensch be= / weine deine / sünde gros auf. / 2 Clavier der Co= / rahll gecollorirett / M. W. C. B. M. succeeded by "In 5 April / Ao 1628 / Sequitur"
(blank pages)
24 Praeludium / pedaliter / David Abel.
25 Praludium / David Abels.
26 Fuga
27 Ricercar / primi Toni
28-30 Ricercar / primi Toni / ex G. B. moll
31 Praludium / Ex E. Vel / a. pedaliter / M. D. O.
32 Praambulum / pedaliter / M. D. O.
33 Praambulum / pedaliter
34 Praambulum / pedaliter
34 Praludium / pedaliter
35 Praambulum / pedaliter / P. H.
36 Praludium / pedaliter / M. F. P. S. W.
37 Praludium / pedaliter
38 Praludium / M. D. O Fragment?
39 Praludium / pedaliter
39 Praludium
39 Praeludium / pedaliter
39 Praeludium / pedaliter
40 Praludium / pedaliter Verso folio. Fragment

Lynar B 4[16][17]

This manuscript contains four pieces:

  • "In dir hab / ich gehoffet / Herr / auf 2 Clavier / manualiter" starting on page 1
  • Illegible, maybe "Jesus Christus / unser heÿlantt / auf 2 Clavir / pedaliter" on page 4
  • "Fantasia / M. S[?]. P." on page 10
  • "Fantasia / A. 3 Vocum / Transpon: per 4ton" starting on page 14 and ending on the page 16-17 opening.

The page numbers (instead of folios) have been penciled in by a librarian.

Lynar B 5[18][19]

The ending of the fragmented Durch Adams fall by Jacob Praetorius

This manuscript contains one piece, a fragment of a Chorale Fantasia Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt auff 3 clavier by Jakob Praetorius. The piece is neatly written in five voices, suggesting that the top voice is to be played on Rückpositiv, the second on Brustwerk, the third and fourth on Organum, and the bottom in Pedal[20].

Lynar B 6[21][22]

Mus. ms. Lynar b 6 contains a manualiter Toccata auf 2 clavir by Heinrich Scheidemann on 10 pages.

The heading to Psalm 100 in Lynar B 7

Lynar B 7[23][24]

Ms. Lynar B 7 consists of variations on the Genevan psalms, some one verse and some several. The header of each piece is stylized by a three-pronged symbol (roughly ) followed by the number of the psalm. Some verses are also marked "3 voci" or "Corall in tenor" for example.

Analysis

Based on stylistic analysis and the psalm melodies chosen, Pieter Dirksen theorized that these pieces were composed by a to us unknown composer from the same region and time period as Sweelinck. These works would have later been brought to the German lands by a student of this composer[4].

Lynar B 8[25][26]

This manuscript contains two pieces, "Ich ruff zu / dir herr / Jesu Christ / auff 2. clavier" and "Alio modo / auff 2. und 3. / Clavir, und auff der / Pedal zu gebrauf [?] / Anton Neünhaber." These are thought to be two verses of the same piece by Andreas Neunhaber[27]. The second piece is in five voices and has detailed manual change indications written into the tablature.

Lynar B 9[28][29]

Lynar B 9 contains two preludes on two pages. The title page lists the keys/tonality "A cis" and "F a".

Lynar B 10[30][31]

This manuscript contains one [fragmented?] piece, anonymous Sei nun wieder zufrieden a 3. The composition ends after the first system on the third page, the final symbol is a cut time signature.

Lynar C[32]

Lynar C contains anonymous simple polyphonic settings of the 150 genevan psalms (actually only 124 settings, because of the reuse of psalm tunes). It is written on 119 sheets in New German Tablature Notation.

The settings are extremely simple. It appears that this was a psalm-book that used privately by people gathered together, who would sing the psalms, or play them on all different instruments, at social gatherings (or it was a copy of this type of book).

The current status of Ms. Lynar C is not clear. It is not found in the [1] database under the shelfmark "Ms. Lynar C" or "Lynar B 11"[33]. Additionally, this manuscript seems to have recieved virtually no musicological attention besides mentions in collection with the other manuscripts.

References

Schierning, Lydia. Die Überlieferung der deutschen Orgel- und Klaviermusik aus der esten Hälfte des 17. Jahrhunderts: Eine quellenkundliche Studie. Kassel: Bärenreiter, 1961.

  1. stabikat.de, accessed 24 September, 2023. -> "Online-Zugang": Das Werk, das Sie suchen, befindet sich aktuell in der Digitalisierung.
  2. Schnieders, Hans, "Fingersätze für Tasteninstrumente aus dem Umfeld Sweelincks und seiner Schüler". [2], accessed 15 September, 2023. 2.15 Lynar A1
  3. Seiffert, Max (editor), Sweelinck: Werken voor Orgel en Clavecimbel. Amsterdam: G. Alsbach & Co., 1942. xlvi
  4. 4.0 4.1 Dirksen, Pieter. Heinrich Scheidemann's Keyboard Music: Transmission, Style and Chronology. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2007. 9-10.
  5. [3] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  6. RISM1001079614
  7. [4] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  8. RISM1001079620
  9. Beckmann, K., 2009. "Blütezeit und Verfall", 1. Auflage. ed, "Die Norddeutsche Schule: Orgelmusik im protestantischen Norddeutschland zwischen 1517 und 1755". Schott, Mainz.
  10. RISM1001048774
  11. Schierning, 32-34
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 Dirksen, P., "Eight Chorale Settings by Jan P. Sweelinck and his School", 1991, Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis, Utrecht
  13. RISM466000013
  14. [5] (Mirrored IMSLP554336) accessed 17 July, 2023.
  15. RISM466000011
  16. [6] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  17. RISM1001048776
  18. [7] accessed 17 July, 2023.
  19. RISM1001048780
  20. Brieg, Werner (editor). Jacob Praetorius: Choralbearbeitunen für Orgel. Kassel: Bärenreiter, 1974.
  21. [8] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  22. RISM1001048781
  23. [9] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  24. RISM1001048782
  25. [10] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  26. RISM1001048783
  27. Beckmann, K. (editor). 3 Choralbearbeitunten von Anton Neunhaber und Ewald Hintz. Wiesbaden: Breitkopf & Härtel, 1974.
  28. [11] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  29. RISM1001048784
  30. [12] accessed 18 July, 2023.
  31. RISM1001048785
  32. Schierning, 106-109.
  33. See [13], accessed 31 October, 2023.