Lassus, Roland de (1532-1594).

première édition, deux parties de tenor et contratenor (de 5), in-4 (17 x 22.5 cm), 20 ff. (chacun A-E⁴), pages de titre avec de riches bordures gravées sur bois, vignettes de l'éditeur à pleine page, dédicace et prière de Lassus à son patron le duc Wilhelm V de Bavière ("Guglielmo comiti Palatino"), importantes lettrines gravées sur bois (jusqu'à 6 cm), musique imprimée, index en fin d'ouvrage, dérelié, cahier C séparé des A et B, et des D et E.

RISM L843; Lesure & Thibault, no.151

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cette superbe collection contient les premières éditions de dix-huit motets en cinq parties par Lassus : 'Angelus Domini', 'Deus judex justus', 'Descendit sicut pluvia', 'Dominator Domine', 'Emendemus in melius', 'Exultut coelum mare', 'Inter natos mulierum', 'Multarum hic risonat', 'Noli regibus', 'Nuncium vobis', ' Pater Abraham', 'Quid tamen ô quid agis', 'Quid prodest homini', 'Si bona suscepimus', 'Stabunt justi', 'Si quid vola valent', 'Veni dilecte mi' et 'Venite ad me omnes'. Une édition quasiment de l'époque fut aussi publiée par Phalèse à Louvain et par Bellère à Antwerp. 

Le plus remarquable de ces motets est sans doute 'Quid tamen', plus connu sous le nom de 'Sponsa quid agis', que l'on pense avoir était conposé par Lassus pour son propre mariage en 1558 : James Haar observe que la couleur harmonique (débutant la partie 'secunda'), fait de ce motet le plus personnel de tous les motets de Lassus. De la même façon, la tonalité personelle de 'Multarum hic risonat', composé pour la fête du duc Wilhelm, est une preuve évidente de la relation très proche que le duc avait avec son employé. (TNG, 14, 301).



This important collection contains the first editions of eighteen five-part motets by Lassus: 'Angelus Domini', 'Deus judex justus', 'Descendit sicut pluvia', 'Dominator Domine', 'Emendemus in melius', 'Exultut coelum mare', 'Inter natos mulierum', 'Multarum hic risonat', 'Noli regibus', 'Nuncium vobis', ' Pater Abraham', 'Quid tamen ô quid agis', 'Quid prodest homini', 'Si bona suscepimus', 'Stabunt justi', 'Si quid vola valent', 'Veni dilecte mi' and 'Venite ad me omnes'.  An almost contemporary edition was also published by Phalèse in Louvain and Bellère in Antwerp. 

Perhaps the most remarkable of these motets is 'Quid tamen', better known as 'Sponsa quid agis', which Lassus is thought to have composed for his own marriage in 1558: James Haar observes that the colouristic harmony (starting the secunda patrs'), makes this the one most appealingly personal of all Lassus's motets.   Likewise  the personal tone that informs 'Multarum hic risonat', written for the name day of Duke Wilhelm, is evident proof of the composer's close relationship with his employers. (TNG, 14, 301).