Austria ’s imperial court chapel was active far beyond the confines of Vienna . It developed a rich musical tradition of its own, with composers of the stature of Heinrich Isaac , Jacob Hassler , Johann Jacob Froberger , and Johann Heinrich Schmelzer .

This volume consists entirely of première publications from the œuvre of composers working at the imperial court during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, including the complete keyboard output of Giovanni Valentini and Johann Heinrich Schmelzer and a Toccata 2 di toni in g ( FbWV 130) by Johann Jacob Froberger.

Altogether it contains twenty-two compositions with a detailed preface, many facsimiles, and a critical commentary. The pieces range from easy to moderately difficult and are equally suitable for use in church services or concert performance.