De cantu et musica sacra a prima ecclesiæ ætate usque ad præsens tempus 1-2/2 - Gerbert, Martin 1720-1793 (Sankt Blasien Abbey of Sankt Blasien, 1774)
contains score of Gerberts (?) 'Missa in coena domini' for double chorus and basso continuo
Beautifully illustrated with wonderful engraved initial letters and an abundance of tables and illustrations of instruments and musical notations
Martin Gerbert von Hornau was prince abbot at St Blaise Abbey in the Holy Roman Empire, mainly interested in sacramental theology, liturgiology, and notably ecclesiastical music. He was an outstanding music historian and a representative of the modern Benedictine order in the Black Forest (Baden-Württemberg Germany). The materials for his work he had gathered during his travels, and although it contains many textual errors, its publication has been of great importance for the history of music, by preserving writings which might either have perished or remained unknown. His interest in music led to his acquaintance with the composer Gluck, who became his intimate friend.
dedicated to Friedrich Karl Joseph Reichsfreiherr von Erthal (1719-1802), prince-elector and archbishop of Mainz from 1774 to 1802
contains an Index
Keywords: 18th Century (1701-1800); Music history; Religion; Iconography; Organology; Mass