Gerbert,M.

De cantu et musica sacra a prima ecclesiae aetate usque ad praesens tempus. 2 vols. St. Blasien, monastery printing house 1774. 4°. With 49 illustrations on 43 partly folded. Engraved plates, 2 rev. Title vign., 2 engraved head vign., 2 text engravings, numerous music examples in the text (in woodcut) and some woodcut insets. 10 pp., 590 pp.; 6 pp., 409 pp., 14 pp. Hldr. First edition. - Hirsch I, 217. Wolffheim II, 783 (only 40 plates). Eitner IV, 205. MGG IV, 1785: "Comprehensive account of the history of church music from its beginnings to the present day. Of remarkable detail are, in particular, the descriptions of the Mass and the Divine Office, of psalmody and hymnody, of the Roman, Milanese, Gallican, Anglican and Mozarabic liturgies and of the de tempore order. The use of numerous references from the works of Greek and Latin church writers as well as from the decrees of synods and councils makes this treatise a highly valuable collection of liturgical and music-historical material, which many later music historians have drawn on. Martin Gerbert (1720-1793), one of the most learned clerics of his time and a prolific church composer, was prince-abbot of the Benedictine monastery of St. Blasien in the Black Forest in Upper Austria from 1764. - 37 plates in mod. Brochure bound separately. Missing the 112 music pages, which were mostly removed for practical use. - Some foxing.