This unusual work is taken from Samuel Scheidt’s Ludi musici of 1621, where the four parts are labelled “cornetto”. The piece has appeared in some modern editions under the title “Canzon Cornetto,” which is a misreading of the source. There were a few pieces circulating in Germany for multiple cornetti, including an intrada by Moritz Landgraf of Hessen for four, and a canzona for six by a certain Lichtlein.
In arranging the work for recorders a few notes in the two lower parts have been altered to fit the somewhat smaller range of the recorder. Otherwise it is as in the original source, apart from the transposition into F for alto recorders. The alternative parts provide for C recorders are in the original key.
(Bernard Thomas)
