This blog post again focuses on some material which is digitally available.
The manuscript is preserved in Louisville, School of Music, in Louisville, Kentucky with the shelf mark of RICASOLI Profana 238.
The link to the digital version goes to IMSLP:
http://imslp.org/wiki/Sonate_da_mandorlino_(Anonymous)
It’s a really interesting manuscript which add to the repertory but also brings up some interesting questions.
Provenance
Dating the manuscript proves hard. It is anymous and there are no easy identifying marks. From the style of writing and music we can easily put this past the mid-18 century (most likely from around the 1780s) but it might just as well be somewhat more recent.
Regionally the fact that we at least know that the manuscript originates from the Ricasoli family helps link it solidly to Florence.
Content
Even though the title promises “sonate” the actual content are mainly minuets (27) and some (3) counterdances, mostly for two, some for one “mandorlino”. The style is rather simple, with parallel acompaniment.
Minuè (2 mdl)
p. 3: 3/4 in D
Minuè (2 mdl)
p. 4: 3/4 in D
Minuè (1 mdl)
p. 5: 3/4 in G
Minuè (1 mdl)
p. 5: 3/4 in D
Minuè (1 mdl)
p. 6: 3/4 in G
Contradanza (2 mdl)
p. 6: 2/4 in A
Minuè (1 mdl)
p. 7: 3/4 in G
Contradanza (1 mdl)
p. 7: 6/8 in G
Minuè (1 mdl)
p. 8: 3/4 in G
Minuè (1 mdl)
p. 8: 3/4 in G
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 9: 3/4 in F
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 9: 3/4 in C
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 10: 3/4 in G
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 10: 3/4 in A
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 10: 3/4 in C
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 11: 3/4 in G
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 11: 3/4 in F
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 11: 3/4 in C
Contradanza (2 mdl)
p. 12: 2/4 in C
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 13: 3/4 in C
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 13: 3/4 in G
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 13: 3/4 in F
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 13: 3/4 in A
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 14: 3/4 in Bes
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 14: 3/4 in G
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 14: 3/4 in C
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 15: 3/4 in F
[Untitled, minuet (1 mdl)]
p. 15: 3/4 in C
On p. 27 the tuning is given, matching the Neapolitan mandolin’s tuning. That was also clear from the chords written in the pieces.
Conclusions
The interesting thing about this manuscript are pretty much plain for all to see. First of all the mention of yet another alternative spelling for the mandolin. Next, about 30 until now unknown pieces for our instrument. And of course the link towards a Florentine family of nobility is perhaps the most intersting of all. Whereas in the 1700s we have Florentine noblemen playing the Milanese baroque mandolin, this is proof that almost a century later the Neapolitan mandolin has taken over.
