 Another expression of the popularity of Heinrich Isaac's song Insbruck ich muß dich lassen can be seen in its transcription for keyboard instruments, such as can be heard in the following musical example. It was common since the 13th c for all forms of vocal music to be performed in part or completely by instruments. This could mean that the instruments supported weaker or missing voices, played instead of them or even just performed the work as an instrumental piece. Even in Isaac's day purely instrumental music was already important. The musical example is a transcription for a keyboard instrument, in this case a spinett (a kind of small harpsichord). The illustration shows an engraving with a view of the city of Innsbruck as Heinrich Isaac would have known it. (E. Stadler)
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