RPS MS 397

Catalogue of concertos, miscellaneous music, and scores of operas etc. in the Society’s music library; compiled circa 1870, with additions to 1883. Derived from sections 2-4 of RPS MS 395 above, and giving similar details to RPS MS 396. Concertos arranged alphabetically by composer within categories for each solo instrument, followed by the miscellaneous items (ff. 72v-78v), and with a section for ‘Full Scores Operas &c.’ (ff. 79v-93v). On pre-ruled paper, similar to that used in RPS MSS 400-402, with columns (not used) for dates of performance by the Society, but using versos only; rectos blank apart from a very few notes in pencil. The later sections leave few or no blanks for additions, the copyist writing out in succession only the numbers allocated in his source. The additional entries appear to relate to only a small number of the items added to the Library during the period.

ff. 93. 252 x 395mm. Lettered ‘Philharmonic Society, Concertos, Scores, etc.’ on the upper cover. On paper with watermark dates of 1865 and 1868.

includes:

• ff. 51, 53 Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley: Francesco Berger, pianist and composer; Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Letters to Francesco Berger from Matthew White Ridley: 1897, 1900: Printed, typewritten.
• f. 77 Herbert William Fisher, private Secretary to Edward VII as Pr. of Wales: Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Letter to Herbert William Fisher from Stanley Lucas: 1869: Copy.
• f. 197 Schleswig-Holstein, Princesses of. Helena Augusta Victoria, wife of Prince Christian; 3rd daughter of Qu. Victoria: Francesco Berger, pianist and composer; Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Frank Martin Mayer, Equerry to Princess Christian: Letter to Francesco Berger from Frank Martin Mayer, on behalf of Princess Christian: 1897.