10

Mathieu Sohier and “Prenez le galland”

Pierre Attaingnant published “Prenez le galland” in 1536 in the Livre premier contenant xxix chansons with an attribution to Sohier.[1] This same volume contains four chansons[2] by Janequin, all correctly attributed. Attaingnant reprinted the “Prenez le Galland” in 1538, and again in 1546, all with attributions to Sohier.[3]

Antonio Gardano printed “Prenez le galland” in Venti cinque canzone francese[4] of 1538, with an attribution to “C. Ianequin.” This was only the second music collection that Gardano assembled. Of ten attributions to Janequin in the Venti cinque canzone, only six appear to be correct.[5] This edition, with no adjustments to the attributions, was reprinted by Gardano[6] in 1548, by Scotto[7] in 1549, and again by Gardano[8] in 1560.

Given the choice between primacy and consistency on the part of Attaingnant (Sohier), and later dating and a good deal of confusion on the part of Gardano/Scotto (Janequin), it’s not a difficult decision.

  1. RISM 15364, no. 20, fol. xx vo. ↑
  2. LM62, LM63, LM64, LM65. ↑
  3. Attaingnant, Premier livre contenant xxv chansons, RISM 153810, no. 17, fol. xi vo, and Premier livre contenant xxv chansons RISM 154611, no. 17, fol. viii vo. ↑
  4. Gardano, Venticinque canzone francese, RISM 153919, no. 9. ↑
  5. LM31, LM33, LM39, LM41, LM46, LM57, and LM60 are correctly attributed. No. 11 “Pourquoi voules vous” belongs to Janequin but is attributed to Passereau; no. 7 “Ung petit coup” and no. 14 “Saincte barb” (s/t) (“Nostre dince”) (t/b) belong to Passereau but are attributed to Janequin; no. 9 “Prenez le galland” belongs to Sohier; and no. 8 “Mi levay par iung matin” is the pseudo-version mentioned on page 17. ↑
  6. Gardano, Secondo libro, RISM 15485, no. 11. ↑
  7. Scotto, Secondo libro, RISM 154942, no. 12, fol. xi. ↑
  8. Gardano, Secondo libro, RISM 15608. An anonymous version of “Prenez le galland” for lute is included by Scotto and Julio Abondate in Intabolatura di lautto libro secondo from 1548, along with lute versions (all anonymous) of LM31 “Si d’ung petit” and LM 39 “Mais ma mignonne.” ↑