The Choirbook

Illumination from a late 14th century choirbook. B-Bc 9287.

This exhibition focuses on how music takes shape. The choir book from the late 14th century is an example of how monks wanted to give more meaning to the notation of music. This manuscript contains no more than four illuminations and these are not casually placed. Three of them mark important holidays in the liturgy: resurrection, ascension and Pentecost. Moreover, the illuminations make the music manuscript attractive, even for those who cannot read notes.

This choirbook with Gregorian chant dates from the late 14th century. The sheets are made of vellum, a refined kind of parchment made of calf skin. The maker has signed the manuscript: 'I Jacobellus, named Murielus van Salerno, wrote, noted down and illuminated this book. It was the first work from my hands.' B-Bc 9287.     This choirbook with Gregorian chant dates from the late 14th century. The sheets are made of vellum, a refined kind of parchment made of calf skin. The maker has signed the manuscript: ‘I Jacobellus, named Murielus van Salerno, wrote, noted down and illuminated this book. It was the first work from my hands.’ B-Bc 9287.