“Aria” di Rimini: rimandi improvvisativi in Unum pulchrum e Salve cara Deo tellus di Ludovicus de Arimino

The first part of this contribution focuses on some short compositions attested in Tr. 87. Thanks to their formal structure and to the presence of recurrent melodic and polyphonic modules they reveal a connection with the improvisational practice. It is therefore possible to obtain useful information to form an analytical paradigm which uncovers traces of improvisation within written compositions. Furthermore, it will be highlighted the link to the repertoire of the tenores of basses danses, that are to be reworked during the performance.
The second part of the essay deals with two compositions by Ludovicus de Arimino, also attested in Tr. 87 and their link with the improvisational praxis: Salva cara Deo tellus — the 3-voice setting of Petrarca’s Ad Italiam — and the 2-voice setting of Unum pulchrum. They both have a highly modular structure that reveals their improvisatory origin and their possible performance ad lyram.