Berliner Chansonnier (Castellani-Niccolini Chansonnier)
Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett Ms 78 C 28
One scribe copied the music for the main part of the manuscript; the Mass (ff. 51′-62) is a later addition, in a mid-16th century Italian hand . Copied in Naples but illuminated at Florence. Probably intended as a gift for Margherita Castellani and Bernardino Niccolini upon the occasion of their marriage.
This chansonnier with repertoire of the Dufay-Binchois generation has been neglected for the main reason that it has no texts at all. However, 11 unica are witness to its outstanding quality. It is probably the earliest Italian source of this anglo-french repertoire.
Our foundation has financed its first digitalization.
All rights remain with Berlin Kupferstichkabinett, especially every use for commercial purposes!