Mute cornett

Lassus conducted performances of instrumental and vocal music in Munich, and descriptions of these concerts mention the use of mute cornetts.

Mute cornetts were produced by makers in Venice in the 16th century and these instruments seem to have been exported to various cities in Europe.

The mute cornett was popular in Italy around 1600, although the instrument was rarely specifically named by composers in their works.

Praetorius described the sound of the mute cornett as Still und lieblich (soft and lovely) and modern professional performers have amply demonstrated these qualities.

In Michael Praetorius's Polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica of 1619, three mute cornetts are specified in "Choir I" of the motet, "Erhalt uns Herr bei deinen Wort", however, Praetorius suggests that the mute cornetts may be replaced by transverse flutes (i.e. "Fiffari").