The six parts of the collection were published in Leipzig between 1663 and 1676. The first five books are modestly scored but the sixth is altogether on a grander scale progressing from the seven part opening Intrade to the sumptuous twelve part closing suite. Similarly, parts one, three and five follow a specific choice and sequence of movements while part six is rather more amorphous. Parts two and four are what the title pages call Grossen-Balletten but the remaining parts are suites or suite derived movements. It is these parts of the collection, and in particular part one, that are remarkable. They clearly demonstrate the organisation and unity that was to become so common in this genre of suite composition.
Parergon Musicum has remained largely unknown to modern writers, especially
as parts five and six became unavailable at the end of World War ll.
Their rediscovery at Kraków twenty years ago allows us to reassess
the importance of this suite collection as a whole.
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