Broda: Der Pfauen Schwanz
for 4 instruments.
Paulus de Broda´s piece is one of two settings from the Glogauer Liederbuch of the slow-moving melody found in the tenor part. This tune is similar in character to the basse-danse melodies found in several contemporary French dance manuals. And indeed elements of the three rhythmically elaborate "free" parts may indeed reflect the style of contemporary improvised dance music, though the piece is too complex to be convincing as an example of music to be actually danced to.
The manuscript is quite corrupt in places, and a degree of interference was required, especially around bars 5-6, as can be seen from the commentary below. The original note values have been halved. Editorial accidentals are printed above the stave, applying to the one note only.
Although quite elaborate rhythmically, the ranges of the parts are quite narrow, so the piece may be performed on a variety of wind or stringed instruments. It is perhaps especially suitable for shawms and sackbuts, but also quite convincing on recorders.
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