Music and Riddle Culture in the Renaissance

This is the first book on the theory, practice and cultural context of musical riddles during the Renaissance.

Katelijne Schiltz (Author)

9781107082298, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 April 2015

548 pages, 58 b/w illus. 3 colour illus. 36 music examples
24.9 x 17 x 3.3 cm, 1.22 kg

Throughout the Renaissance, composers often expressed themselves in a language of riddles and puzzles, which they embedded within the music and lyrics of their compositions. This is the first book on the theory, practice and cultural context of musical riddles during the period. Katelijne Schiltz focuses on the compositional, notational, practical, social and theoretical aspects of musical riddle culture c.1450–1620, from the works of Antoine Busnoys, Jacob Obrecht and Josquin des Prez to Lodovico Zacconi's manuscript collection of Canoni musicali. Schiltz reveals how the riddle both invites and resists interpretation, the ways in which riddles imply a process of transformation and the consequences of these aspects for the riddle's conception, performance and reception. Lavishly illustrated and including a comprehensive catalogue by Bonnie J. Blackburn of enigmatic inscriptions, this book will be of interest to scholars of music, literature, art history, theology and the history of ideas.

Introduction
1. The culture of the enigmatic from classical antiquity to the Renaissance
2. Devising musical riddles in the Renaissance
3. The reception of the enigmatic in music theory
4. Riddles visualised
Conclusion
Appendix 1. A brief introduction to mensural notation
Appendix 2. Catalogue of enigmatic canonic inscriptions Bonnie J. Blackburn.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], Theology [HRLB], Social & cultural history [HBTB], European history [HBJD], History [HB], Medieval & Renaissance music [c 1000 to c 1600 AVGC2], Early music [up to c 1000 CE AVGC1], Theory of music & musicology [AVA], Music [AV], History of art / art & design styles [AC]