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<h1><a href="home.html">Omni desideranti notitiam</a></h1>
<h2>A Music Theory Text from the Fourteenth Century</h2>
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<h2> Chicago, Newberry Library, Ms. 54.1
(english translation)
</h2>
<p id="trans1"><a name="1" class="paragraphnumber">[1]</a>
This treatise on music was composed by the venerable Master Philippe de Vitry. For
anyone wishing to gain knowledge of the techniques of mensural music, both new and
old, I venture here to outline faithfully, insofar as I am able, certain rules presented
in a short compendium. In the olden days, Franco was noted to have passed these on;
more recently, they were to have been subtly uncovered by Philip. Since, in this work,
it is correct to measure pitches or notes proportionally, and accordingly, the longs
or breves, semibreves and minims are figured. Therefore, to their figuration and value
we may quickly proceed.
</p>
<p id="trans2"><a name="2" class="paragraphnumber">[2]</a>
The long, is figured as a quadratic form, with a stroke from the right side,
descending or ascending, or with two strokes, of which the right is longer than the
left. This note is called a plica longa and it is worth three <span style="font-style:italic;">tempora</span> in the perfect mode; two, however, in the imperfect.
</p>
<p id="trans3"><a name="3" class="paragraphnumber">[3]</a>
The mode is imperfect when these breves or tempora are computed through a binary number.
It is said to be imperfect in the same way that the binary number is imperfect. Indeed,
the ternary number is perfect having been taken from the Trinity - that is, the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit - wherein there exists the highest perfection.
</p>
<p id="trans4"><a name="4" class="paragraphnumber">[4]</a>
The perfect mode is known through rests: when the rests between longs are perfect
or when it works better to compute the tempora from one long to another long in threes
rather than in twos, as is demonstrated below.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="5" class="paragraphnumber">[5]</a>
Although a long is worth three tempora in the perfect mode, as was just mentioned,
it nevertheless may be imperfected in three ways: that is, if a single breve follows
it, or precedes it, or when more than three breves follow it, it is similarly imperfected,
as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="6" class="paragraphnumber">[6]</a>
If two or three breves follow this long and the long is not preceded by a single breve
(which could imperfect it), this long is perfect, unless a point of division is placed
between the first and second breves, or between the first and the others following.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="7" class="paragraphnumber">[7]</a>
A long before a long in perfect mode is perfect. And a long, immediately after which
is placed a point, which is called a point of perfection, is similarly perfect in
perfect mode, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="8" class="paragraphnumber">[8]</a>
There is another note with a quadratic form and with a stroke on the right side or
with two strokes, on the right and the opposite side, just as the long described above,
but it is twice as wide. Now this note is called a duplex long and it is worth six
tempora in the perfect mode and four in the imperfect mode. It is imperfected in two
ways, to wit: if it is followed by a single breve (not preceded by one), just as I
will show below; or, when there are more than three breves following this doubled
long, and then it is worth but five tempora.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="9" class="paragraphnumber">[9]</a>
Breves are figured with a quadratic form without a stroke. If there is a stroke from
the left side, or two, of which the left is longer than the right, then this first
note is called a plica breve and it is worth three semibreves in perfect time (tempus).
A perfect time of semibreves is when there are three semibreves for any breve, either
by holding for the value of them, or by the numbering of the breve’s perfection. A
time is imperfect, when its value, with respect to its semibreves, is numbered, varied
and measured as here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="10" class="paragraphnumber">[10]</a>
Now a breve can be imperfected in three ways: that is, when it is followed by a single
semibreve, or preceded by one, or when more than three semibreves follow the breve,
as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="11" class="paragraphnumber">[11]</a>
And if two or three semibreves follow the breve, and there is no semibreve preceding
the breve, the single breve is said to be a perfect breve, except if a point of division
is placed, in between the second and first semibreves, or between the first semibreve
and the others following it. And just as a long before a long is perfect, so a breve
before a breve is said to be perfect. When a point is placed immediately after a
breve it perfects this breve in imperfect time, except when this point is otherwise
assigned for a division of the mode, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="12" class="paragraphnumber">[12]</a>
And a breve is imperfected in two ways, to wit, by a single minim that follows it
(not however by a preceding minim), and by more than three following this breve. Although
many hold that this breve could be imperfected by the preceding part with a minim,
just as the duplex long is imperfected similarly by the preceding part with a breve.
I say that this is false. For this breve is not imperfected by a minim, with respect
to its whole, for a minim does not subordinate a breve. And the same goes for the
semibreve. Therefore as much as to the part which is a semibreve, from this I argue,
howsoever a breve is imperfected by a minim, it is not imperfected with respect to
its whole, but rather to its part. To wit to the semibreve, and thus to the semibreve
as much as it is a semibreve, and the long before the long, are never able to be perfected
by the rule of the preceding part but rather the following part, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="13" class="paragraphnumber">[13]</a>
Now, of breves: one is recta, and one is called altera. Recta is worth one. Altera
truly two. Whence wherever two breves are found between two longs, the first is recta,
and the second is altera, and is called altera because its nature is altered. For
this breve is naturally worth one tempus and when it is worth two it is altered. Now
when two breves are found between a point of division and a long, or between a long
and a point, the second is altera, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="14" class="paragraphnumber">[14]</a>
A semibreve is figured in the manner of an oblique body which is worth three minims
in major prolation, and two, moreover, in minor prolation. Many people say that semibreves
are always worth three minims. But this is against Franco, who said, within his discussion
of longs and semibreves and other things, that similarly it is held that longs and
breves are found to be perfect and imperfect, through the distinction of mode and
time. So I say that semibreves are similarly found through the distinction of the
major and minor prolation. Major prolation is the larger or broader measure, comprising
of semibreves worth three minims. Minor prolation is a briefer and moderate measure,
where there are two minims for the semibreve, as much as it is can be brought forth,
as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="15" class="paragraphnumber">[15]</a>
Whence a semibreve is imperfected in three ways, just like the breve and long, to
wit: when a single minim follows the semibreve or precedes it, or when more than three
minims follow it (just as it is with the long and breve, as discussed above), as shown
here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="16" class="paragraphnumber">[16]</a>
And if as many as two minims, or three follow the semibreve, and it is not preceded
by a single minim, it is perfect, except if a point of division is placed between
the first and the second, or between the first and the other minims that follow, as
shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="17" class="paragraphnumber">[17]</a>
Moreover a semibreve can altered to its opposite, just like a breve, such as when
two semibreves are found between two breves, or between a point of division and a
breve, or between a point and a breve, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="18" class="paragraphnumber">[18]</a>
The minim is altered in many ways, since the rationale behind the concept of alteration
is this: wherever something is missing by nature, it ought to be repaired by artifice,
or it will remain imperfect, as when two breves are found, or two semibreves, and
similarly it is with respect to that missing from two minims. Where the Trinity is,
there is perfection, therefore it is necessary to repair the first, such as through
the alteration of one of these minims, that is, the second minim. If it is said that
one of these breves could be an imperfect long, I say that it cannot. Because according
to the following long it is necessary that this is perfect through the rule discussed
above, the long moreover and contra. Whence the breve is altered by being perfected
with respect to the mode, the semibreve with respect to the time, and the minim with
respect to the perfection, and so mode, tempus, or prolation are similarly perfect,
as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="19" class="paragraphnumber">[19]</a>
And it is noted that there are two points, about which I said many things above: there
is the point of perfection, which always perfects the long with respect to mode, and
the breve with respect to tempus, and the semibreve with respect to prolation. There
is also the point of division, and this point imperfects the long by dividing breves,
it imperfects the breve by dividing into semibreves, and it imperfects the breve by
dividing into minims.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="20" class="paragraphnumber">[20]</a>
Whence it must be seen how this point of division is known from the point of perfection,
for one is defined by its ability to imperfect figures, and another to perfect, as
I said. Wherever a point is placed after a long, it is said to be of perfection, and
when after a minim, it is placed for division and thus it is assigned. And it is noted
that the division is threefold and the perfection is threefold, to wit, of mode, of
time, and of prolation.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="21" class="paragraphnumber">[21]</a>
Now, if a point should be placed between two breves, it ought to divide the mode,
except if perchance the breves might be felt to be in imperfect time, after which
a single semibreve might follow, which is reduced in syncopation to the aforementioned
breve punctuated by a point of perfection.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="22" class="paragraphnumber">[22]</a>
Should a point be placed immediately after the breve, following a lone semibreve,
it
is always said to be for the perfection of the tempus. And, if a point is placed
after the semibreve, it is said to be for the perfection of the prolation, to wit,
the semibreve. And then if a semibreve follows after this punctuated semibreve, the
point is assigned for the division of the tempus, except perchance the semibreves
are in minor prolation, after which any single minim might follow, which is reduced
to the aforementioned semibreve by a point of perfection to the punctuated semibreve
through syncopation. And this is how one point is known from another, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="23" class="paragraphnumber">[23]</a>
For the distinction of the mode, tempus, and prolation, should be twofold, as I said.
This can be seen
from the signs by which they are distinguished: a quadrangle with three little
strokes is used for the perfect mode, and a quadrangle with two little strokes is
used for the imperfect mode, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="24" class="paragraphnumber">[24]</a>
A circle is placed for perfect tempus. A semicircle for imperfect tempus as shown
here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="25" class="paragraphnumber">[25]</a>
Just as there is a distinction made with a sign between the perfect mode and
imperfect, so there is also a distinction made between minor and major prolation,
and I say that it is varied in the sign of this tempus in which it is
assigned (as above), within which three points ought to be placed for major
prolation and two moreover for minor, as here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="26" class="paragraphnumber">[26]</a>
Moreover the mode, tempus, and prolation, are distinguished through red figures.
Whence, if a red long is placed, it is placed to the right. If they are in
perfect mode when black, then they are in imperfect mode when red, and vice versa,
as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="27" class="paragraphnumber">[27]</a>
Red breves are placed to differentiate their tempus, so that if breve is black in
perfect time, it will be imperfect when red, and vice versa. Except when it is
ordered by some chance, as in the motet tenor which is called “In arboris” or in the
tenor of “In nova fert animus” as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="28" class="paragraphnumber">[28]</a>
Red semibreves are placed to the differentiation of the prolation so that if black
they are from major prolation, red they will be from minor, and vice versa. Except
if the semibreves perchance are ordered with some breve, because then they may be
placed to the differentiation of the tempus, as is the tenor from “In arboris” found
here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="29" class="paragraphnumber">[29]</a>
Syncopation is the division of any of the figures into separate parts, which are in
turn reduced by numbering their perfections, and it is threefold, to wit, in mode,
tempus and prolation. If it is made in mode, either it is made in perfect mode or
imperfect. If it is made in perfect mode, then we find three breves having been
separated, or equal to the value of a long, or one breve with one rest of two
tempora which is leads back to the breve. If it is made in imperfect mode, then we
find two breves having been separated as such where their perfections are led back
in
turn by numbering of the mode, as here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="30" class="paragraphnumber">[30]</a>
Now if a syncopation is made in tempus, it is either in perfect tempus or in
imperfect tempurs. If it is made in perfect tempus, then the breve is divided into
three semibreves, having been separated by as much as either the value to which they
are similarly by turn reduced, or this semibreve itself is punctuated by that point
of perfection to which the third part of any single separated semibreve is reduced,
as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="31" class="paragraphnumber">[31]</a>
Similarly, in prolation, syncopation is twofold: either in major prolation or in
minor. Now if major, then we find three minims separated by a semibreve, and the
minims are are in turn led back to this by numbering the perfections of the
prolation. Now if it is made in minor prolation, then we find two minims, separated
as by a semibreve, which by numbering perfections of its prolation by turn it is reduced
as here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="32" class="paragraphnumber">[32]</a>
Of ligatures one is ascending, the other descending. And because the "Art" speaks
concerning first things, middle things and the last of these things, therefore concerning
the beginnings and the ends descending of a ligature we first may see just as the
art first descending without a stroke is a long, but if it will have a stroke descending
from its left part, it is said to be a breve. Similarly every last note of a desceding
ligature is said to be a long, except if it is figured otherwise in its body, as will
be shown below.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="33" class="paragraphnumber">[33]</a>
Now concerning the first and the last parts of ligatures just as the "Art" said that
the first ascending always is a breve, except if from the right part it will have
a descending part. Similarly, every ultimate ascending is a breve, except if there
is placed, above the penultimate, or from the right part, an ascending stroke or similarly
a descending one, as here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="34" class="paragraphnumber">[34]</a>
Now every ascending stroke in the beginning of the ligature by position, by the descending
ones or ascending ones, it makes the first ones to be semibreves. And every middle
ones are breves of which they may be ligatures, as shown here.
</p>
<p id=""><a name="35" class="paragraphnumber">[35]</a>
A rest is the omission of pitch, or the measured breath through as many note forms
as it is figured. Whence the rest is worth as many tempora as it contains spaces.
For if it holds one, it is worth one. If it holds two, it is worth two. If it holds
three, it is worth three. If it holds four, it is immensurable. But that rest which
holds half the space by descending is worth one semibreve from the prolation to
which it belongs. Therefore, the minim rest along with a minor rest are not to be
found other than by half a space. I say briefly and this is held by all the experts
in science, that a semibreve rest ought to descend below the line. A rest of a minim
ought to ascend above a line by holding half a space, as shown here.
</p>
Here ends the Perfect Art of Music of Master Philip de Vitry.
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