In Search of Sources in Jacobus Handl’s <em>Opus Musicum</em>: The “Instructio ad Musicos” and Its Significance in Relation to the Composer’s Plan

Abstract

Jacobus Handl-Gallus mentions five of his own motets in the “Instructio ad musicos” placed at the beginning of Opus musicum, volume 3, in order to explain what his plan was. A close examination of these motets reveals that the texts themselves do not follow a strict liturgical prescription, which leads to the conclusion that we actually have here settings bearing the personal stamp of the composer. These examples provide useful clues leading one to reconsider the sources for the entire collection. The contents of the Opus musicum may indeed prove far less homogeneous than one might initially infer from their impeccable distribution according to the liturgical calendar.

Keywords

• opus musicum
• jacobus handl - gallus
• motet
• liturgical calendar