Magnum opus musicum [...] complectens omnes cantiones quas motetas vulgo vocant [...].
4to. 229 ff. With woodcut title border. Contemporary pigskin on 5 raised double bands, richly blindstamped. Wants clasps. Upper cover stamped "Bassus 1610".
€ 18,000.00
Of the utmost rarity.
The first attempt at a collected edition, put forth by the composer's sons Ferdinand and Rudolph Lasso, containing 516 motets and with a two-page dedication to the ruling duke of Bavaria, Maximilian (dated January 1, 1604). A total of six voices were published in separate volumes with the music printed in letterpress, together forming one of the most famous works in the history of music publishing.
Two small paper flaws in the title page have been repaired without loss to text or to the fine woodcut border. Very well preserved.
RISM L/LL, 1019. Eitner I, 59. Wolffheim II, 1842. Hirsch III, 886. Leuchtmann I, p. 59. Title of the Cantus illustrated in: Leuchtmann/Schaefer, O. di Lasso. Prachthandschriften u. Quellenüberlieferung (exhibition catalogue, Munich 1994), p. 63.
