This is a massive volume (9.5x13"), close to 1,000 pages, to accommodate music and text for 186 vocal and instrumental compositions. Editor Filocamo describes the source: "The musical manuscript Panciatichi 27 of the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Florence...is a manuscript in oblong octavo format; it measures 15.3x21 cm, retains the eighteenth-century binding in boards and leather, and is currently in a good state of preservation." It is a famous manuscript, and the musical pieces are famous as well; but there has previously been no systematic study of the manuscript or publication of its entire contents. The result of 14 years of work, this volume accomplishes that goal, presenting the pieces themselves, translations, and contextual material. It is distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)