The Madrid Codex (E-Mn 20486) and its repertoire of medieval polyphony: a background
Abstract
The manuscript of the Biblioteca Nacional de España with signature Mss. 20486 (E-Mn 20486) is one of the five main sources that contains polyphonic repertoire of the Magnus Liber Organi of Notre Dame. This codex, whose origin and dating are currently discussed, contains a large collection of pieces whose genres –organum, conductus and motet– are located on the margins of the School of Notre Dame, whose maximum splendor took place in the mid-13th century in the Parisian cathedral. The interest of this source resides, in addition, in the influence of the new rhythmic-musical system cultivated by the Parisian composers, giving rise to a close relation between the song and the word based on the use of metric feet typical of the classical lyric. This paper will study the most important codicological and historical elements of E-Mn 20486, as well as its musical content and its possible dating and provenance.
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