The series of 30 volumes presents a substantial segment of the madrigal repertory in modern edition for the first time. Each volume (except the last two) contains a complete book of madrigals and is essentially a modern version of the original print. Domenico Maria Ferrabosco (1513-1574) came from a

How did Renaissance composers write their music? In this revolutionary look at a subject that has fascinated scholars for years, musicologist Jessie Ann Owens offers new and striking evidence that contrary to accepted theory, sixteenth-century composers did not use scores to compose--even to write complex vocal polyphony.

Drawing on sources that include contemporary theoretical treatises, documents and letters, iconographical evidence, actual fragments of composing slates, and numerous sketches, drafts, and corrected autograph manuscripts, Owens carefully reconstructs the step-by-step...