Purcell manuscript acquired by British Library
The British Library has acquired the only known keyboard manuscript by Henry Purcell, written in his own hand. Not only are there 20 pieces by Purcell, but the collection contains 17 by the Italian harpsichordist and composer, Giovanni Battista Draghi, then in London as Master of the Italian Musick to Charles II, and lastly one piece, a Praeludium, by Orlando Gibbons.
The manuscript was discovered in a purchase of secondhand books by an English book dealer. It immediately attracted attention when shown to various experts and authorities and was given the ultimate stamp of authenticity by Prof. Curtis Price, the Purcell expert at King's College, London. The collection was sent to Sotheby's for sale at auction and was bought by a private dealer. Meanwhile, a campaign to save it for England was launched through the Purcell Tercentenary Trust. The government cooperated by withholding an export license to allow time to raise money equal to the purchase price of £287,000 ($453,000 circa). To this end many foundations, commercial companies and private donors contributed, and at last, the invaluable manuscript was saved for the British Library's already world famous collection.
In November of this year at the British Library there will be an exhibition with the Purcell manuscript as the "star" to commemorate Purcell's death in November 1695.
Meanwhile Davitt Moroney may be heard on a Virgin Veritas compact disc (VC 5 45166 2) in an outstanding reading of the entire Purcell manuscript, played on three period instruments.
--Virginia Pleasants
Features and news items are always welcome for these columns. Send them to Dr. Larry Palmer, Division of Music, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275.
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