Sketch material for ‘The Mask of Orpheus’ (opera in 3 acts with libretto and scenario by Peter Zinovieff; music composed between 1973-5 and 1981-3; premiered 1986 at the Coliseum, London, conducted by Elgar Howarth). The material includes diverse types of sketch, many of which relate to early co...
Harrison Birtwistle: Gawain, and sketches for other works
Scope & Content:
Sketch and draft material relating to Act 1 of Gawain, libretto by David Harsent. Original version premiered in 1991 at the Royal Opera House, London. Includes extensive material relating to the original ‘Turning of the Seasons’ masque. The collection includes diverse types of sketch, many relat...
Two bound scores: dyeline copy of manuscript score (1940-41), and the published score (Chester, 1951). First performance: London, Royal Albert Hall, 8 July 1943. London Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Lennox Berkeley.
Sir Lennox Berkeley: Partita for chamber orchestra, Op. 66
Scope & Content:
Autograph full score; autograph reduction for piano (Prelude and Fugue, and Arias 1 and 2 only); and two annotated dyeline copies. First performance: Farnham, Parish Church of St. Andrew, 17 May 1965. Frensham Heights School Orchestra, cond. Edward Rice.
Sir Lennox Berkeley: Dialogue for cello and orchestra, Op. 79
Scope & Content:
Short score; incomplete pencil drafts in full score; and two annotated copies of the full score, one of which includes revisions (1981) for the Cheltenham Music Festival. First performance: King's Lynn, St. Nicholas Chapel, 30 July 1971. Maurice Gendron (cello) and the English Chamber Orchestra...
Sir Lennox Berkeley: Sinfonia Concertante for oboe and chamber orchestra, Op. 84
Scope & Content:
Pencil drafts; autograph full and short scores; and annotated dyeline copies. First performance: London, Royal Albert Hall, 3 August 1973. Janet Craxton (oboe) and the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, cond. Raymond Leppard.
Pencil sketches and pencil draft; and amended first proofs of reduction for guitar and piano (J. & W. Chester, 1979). First performance: London, Church of St Bartholomew the Great, 4 July 1974. Julian Bream (guitar) and the English Chamber Orchestra, cond. Andrew Davis. For a piano reducti...
Sketches, draft, autograph score and annotated dyeline copy (Chester Music). First performance: London, Royal Festival Hall, 30 May 1978. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Charles Groves.
Vocal scores and autograph full score (dated 1954). Libretto: Alan Pryce-Jones. First performance (concert reading): London, Wigmore Hall, 14 February 1953. English Opera Group Association, introduced by the librettist and directed by the composer. Piano, Robert Keys. First staged performance:...