These Ricercari belong to the works of Palestrina of which no original print or autograph is known. Haberl included them in the thirty second volume of the works of Palestrina (p. 80 pp.) taken from a copy of G. Chiti which was found in the legacy of Baini.

The Ricercari are composed in a strict motet form. That is they carry single themes (3-5) in the manner indicated in the german preface. The order of the Ricercari follows the eight modes: dorian, hypodorian, phrygian, hypophrygian, lydia...