| Originally, the decision to prepare an edition of Missa L'homme arme sexti toni was because a practical performing edition could not be found. Though one was subsequently discovered, the cost seemed prohibitive, and several editorial decisions were troubling.; The primary source for this edition is the scholarly edition of Missa L'homme arme in volume six of the complete works of Josquin des Prez, edited by Albert Smijers. Volumes five and six designated for masses based on monophonic secular tunes from the New Josquin edition edited by Willem Elders, et al. were not yet published when this edition was being prepared. Microfilms of four Renaissance publications (including three by Petrucci) containing the mass were also consulted secondarily. It was not my intent to replicate the lifelong scholarship of those who worked on the Josquin edition. Those interested in variations in source material can consult that work. Rather, the intention was to build on it by fashioning a practical and modern performing edition.; By offering a guide to this work, pertinent information about it and the decisions that must be made to perform it are centrally located. Renaissance music has many aspects that require extensive study and research. Those with experience performing Josquin and other Renaissance music will have already dealt with many of these matters. The goal of the commentary is to provide the information that choral directors and singers who are not familiar with this repertoire need to perform this work or similar ones.; The document includes introductory material about Josquin, the tradition of the L'homme arme masses, and the textual and musical construction in this particular mass. The editorial commentary includes discussions about choice of key, musica ficta, time signatures and note values, and text underlay. Suggestions for preparation and performance of this mass include remarks concerning distribution of parts, performing resources, tempo relationships, other rhythmic considerations, sound concepts, number of singers, and performance setting, Finally, the appendices include other helpful materials such as a translation and phonetic transcription of the text of the folksong L'homme arme. |
