Abstract
The motet collection "Selectissimarum sacrarum cantionum ... fasciculus primus" by Carl Luython was published in 1603 by the printer Georg Nigrin in Prague. With its content of 29 six-part motets, it is one of the most important sources for Luython's vocal compositions.
The motets from the Luython's collection were already discussed by Albert Smijers from the compositional and partly also from the textual aspect. However, the special thematic variety of the motet texts as well as their diverse origins was only briefly treated in his dissertation.
Besides the presenting the thematic content of the Luythons collection, which is closely related to the needs of music and church life in Prague, this paper also tries to describe the probable origin of the selected motet texts. Above all, the connection rather with the humanistic environment in Prague and with late medieval sources than with texts from the usual liturgical canon is emphasized.