Erster (-achter) Theil der Arien etlicher theils Geistlicher, theils Weltlicher, zur Andacht, guten Sitten, keuscher Liebe und Ehren-Lust dienender Lieder zum Singen und Spielen gesetzt [.].

Folio (206 x 327 mm). 8 parts (all published; in various editions, dated I: 1652; II-V; 1651; VI: 1652; VII: 1654; VIII: 1650) in one volume. Engraved half-title; (28); (28); (28); (28); (28); (28); (28); (28) pp. Letterpress with numerous woodcuts in the text. Contemporary black morocco (spine rebacked), covers blindstamped with giltstamped initials "S. B." and year "1666". Extremely rare: "unquestionably the most representative of all German song collections published in the 17th century" (Osthoff); also an important source for the study of German Baroque literature due to the poems of Simon Dach. Heinrich Albert (1604-51) was the cousin and student of Heinrich Sch tz. "With Simon Dach, Albert formed the nucleus of the K nigsberg poetic circle, which was of especial importance for the Baroque song" (Riemann). The poems of Dach, the "Prussian Opitz", were never published in a complete collection during his lifetime. - The legendary rarity of these "Arias" has been remarked upon even by E. L. Gerber in 1812: "In spite of the number of editions which Albert's works enjoyed, they have now become so rare that I have never seen a single note of his, although I have dedicated more than three decades of my life to the pursuit of musical products" (Neues historisch-biographisches Lexikon der Tonk nstler II, 48). - The richly illustrated engraved half-title, which actually belongs to part 8, has been bound first of all (lower edge trimmed and rebacked with old paper; final two letters of the word "Achter" erased, so as to form a common title to the entire collection: "Acht Theil der Arien theils geistlicher zu christlichem Leben und Sterben anreitzender, theils weltlicher zu geziemender Lust dienender Lieder"). Modern spine and endpapers. Occasional annotations in an old hand; one interleaved sheet of handwritten music; a few slight flaws repaired. Save for two slightly stained pages a very clean copy. - RISM A, 620, 623, 626, 629, 633, 635, 638, 639. Faber du Faur 357. Goedeke III, 129. Wolffheim II, 2091. Hirsch III, 599. BSB I, 45 ff.