British Library Makes Bid to
Keep Composers’ Archives
In an attempt to save 250 musical scores—including an annotated copy of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony signed by the composer—from the auction block, the British Library is seeking £1 million ($1.4 million) to acquire the archives from the Royal Philharmonic Society. If the appeal fails, the society most likely will sell the manuscripts to an American university, according to a March 22 London Daily Telegraph report.
An autographed copy of Mendelssohn’s First Symphony and a letter from Beethoven offering to compose a 10th symphony are also among the manuscripts that the society says it no longer can store. The society, the oldest concert-giving body in England, expects proceeds from the sale to fund an endowment to support young composers and performers and provide music education programs.
The library is attempting to raise £400,000 ($565,000) from grant-giving organizations and “music lovers worldwide.” It is hoped the balance will come from its own coffers as well as the national Heritage Lottery Fund. “It is essential that this resource is acquired by the British Library where it will be open to the public from all over the world,” said Sir Colin Davis, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and patron of the appeal.
Posted March 26, 2001.
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