EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY COLLECTION OF HISTORIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

PROGRESS REPORT 1982

In the last year the University has been given instruments by Mr S. Budd, Mrs C.H. Brackenbury, Mrs A. Macaulay, Mr B. Rattray, Mr H. Allen, Mrs Gray, Mr J. Blades, Mrs R Thomas, Dumfermline College of Physical Education, Mr M. McLenaghan, St Andrew Amateur Orchestral Society, Prof. McIntosh and A. Ross. Several important instruments, mostly from the Glen Collection, have been lent by Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries; a number of individuals have also lent items, all of which enhance the Collection.

The University has purchased 35 percussion instruments from James Blades.

Work has continued on cataloguing the Collection and six further check-lists have been produced. A programme of cleaning is under way, carried out by voluntary helpers. The archives have been established under the joint administration of the Honorary Curator and the Reid Librarian, and so far mainly comprise the working papers of Geoffrey Rendall, Montagu Cleeve and material donated by Lyndesay Langwill and Anne Macaulay.

The Collection was formally opened on 21st October 1982 with a talk by Anthony Baines on "The Benefits of a University Collection of Musical Instruments" followed by a concert given by the Music Party in which, inter alia, instruments from the Collection were used. As from that date, the Collection is being opened to the public each Wednesday afternoon in addition to the accustomed opening times during the Edinburgh Festival and in certain concert intervals.

The Collection has been used for teaching purposes by the University of Edinburgh and the Open University and for research by a number of visitors.

Guided tours have been given to two parties, and instruments from the Collection have been used in several concerts and recordings.

Arnold Myers, 22nd November 1982

[ Report for 1983 ] [ Report for 1981 ]