The Frottole intabulate da sonare organi (Rome: Andrea Antico, 1517): Musical text and social context of the first Italian keyboard tablature ever printed

Abstract

The Frottole intabulate da sonare organi is a twenty-six tablature collection that Andrea Antico, a printer from Montona, Istria (present-day Croatia), could issue thanks to a privilege Pope Leo X had enthusiastically granted him. Much has been written on this edition, due both to its being the earliest one ever printed for the keyboard with no letters, and to its intriguing humorous cover; yet nothing exists on its intended use. How come that only this printed keyboard tablature survives from the peak years of frottola editions? Ottaviano Petrucci had gotten the same papal privilege even before; why did he let it expire and never issued such an item? For the enjoyment of whom was it marketed? And why was Antico apparently discouraged from producing a second volume, clearly expected as this was called Libro primo [Book One]? In search of plausible answers, this article explores the environment Antico’s book was likely intended for, as well as several of its technical features. Transcriptions of two frottolas from a Polish tablature, matching two items from Antico’s edition, round up the essay.