Antonio Gardano, Venetian Music Printer, 1538-1569

Antonio Gardano's publications are among the most important sources of 16th-century music. The second volume describes the output of this leading Italian music press in its cultural, bibliographical, and musical context. The first part of the book consists of an overview of Gardano's repertory from the fifties and the cultural and musical milieu in which he worked. It includes discussions of the continuing popularity of his earlier repertory, the music of the younger generation introduced in the fifties, the music of the composers around San Marco, and genres such as the multi-movement madrigal, the canzoni villanesche, instrumental works, and new anthologies. Also discussed are the dating of some undated editions, unconfirmed and doubtful prints, and ordering within the editions. A chapter on binder's copies describes groups of editions bound together by their early owners and serves as a valuable index to the tastes of the collectors. The catalog section covers all Gardano's known publications of the fifties, and provides full titles, bibliographical information, contents with concordant sources for each piece, and locations of individual copies with notes on their bindings, owners' marks, annotations, and other significant characteristics. The catalog is indexed by composer, first line, and short title, and includes a list of primary and secondary sources consulted.