| Outstanding Elizabethan music manuscript saved for the nation |
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My Ladye Nevells Booke, one of the finest music manuscripts of the Elizabethan age, has been acquired by the British Library as a result of a successful fundraising campaign and will go on public display for the first time from 6 June 2006.
The manuscript has been acknowledged as one of the finest Tudor music manuscripts and is an object of outstanding calligraphic beauty. It was completed on 11 September 1591 by John Baldwin, the best known music scribe of the time who almost certainly copied the pieces under Byrd's direction. It contains a series of corrections thought to be by Byrd himself. Since keyboard music presented difficulties to 16th Century printers, Byrd's output survives almost exclusively in manuscript. There are four manuscripts of cardinal importance of which My Ladye Nevells Booke is the earliest. Though the identity of Ladye Nevell has long been disputed, recent research has uncovered that the dedicatee was Elizabeth, the wife of Sir Henry Nevell of Billingbere (c.1518-93). Following Sir Henry's death in 1593 the manuscript is thought to have passed into the hands of Elizabeth I. Chris Banks, Head of Music Collections said: “I am absolutely delighted that My Ladye Nevells Booke can be added to the British Library's collection where it can be studied alongside existing related materials. I had read accounts of its outstanding calligraphy and of its fine decorated binding and the volume more than lived up to those descriptions. What becomes clear as one turns through the pages is that it was copied by someone who clearly worshipped Byrd and his music.” Carole Souter, Director of the NHMF, said: "William Byrd stands alone in the history of Elizabethan music. He is considered the most important English composer of his time and we are delighted to have helped save this unique expression of our heritage from leaving these shores." In addition to being displayed in the British Library's public galleries, My Ladye Nevells Booke will be fully digitised and placed on the British Library website with supplementary information about the volume and its history. A series of lectures and workshops aimed at school children, college students and lifelong learners will enhance people's knowledge and understanding of this manuscript and Byrd's seminal position in the development of English keyboard repertoire. The manuscript will remain on exhibition until the end of June with a further display planned for later this year. Further information about My Ladye Nevells Booke can be found at: http://www.bl.uk/collections/music/my_ladye_nevells_booke.html June 2006 |
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