Mus. 1217(A-D)

Manuscript. Complete set of four instrumental partbooks containing two unattributed single-key suites or 'sets' a4 in g minor; English, probably early 18th century. The partbooks bear the following designations: Mus. 1217(A): 'Tenor'; Mus. 1217(B): 'Second Treble'; Mus. 1217(C): 'First Treble'; Mus. 1217(D): 'Base'. These pieces probably formed part of the repertory of the Oxford city/university waits or 'musick'. The copyist, who appears also to have been the composer, has not been identified, and is here designated as 'Copyist Y'; for further information, see the entry for Mus. 34-6.

In the following inventory, sets in the same key are distinguished from one another by means of roman numerals (I, II, etc), continuing the numbering sequence begun in Mus. 34-6. Within each set, the number of movements is shown in round brackets: '(1-5)', etc. Instrumentation is not specified. For autograph scores by Copyist Y of the third and fourth movements of the second set, see Mus. 1140, sheet 4.

Table of titles and composers as shown in the manuscript. Display in modern form.

Oblong format, 410 x 275 mm. Each of the first three partbooks comprises 4 single sheets, stab-sewn together; the fourth partbook comprises 3 single sheets, stab-sewn together; 15 folios in total. The partbooks were designated 'A-C' in June 2004, and the sheets foliated in a single sequence as '1-15'; these additions will not be present in microfilms made before that date. Unused ruled staves on ff. 2v-4v, 6v-8v, 11r-12v and 14v-15v. Part of an 18th-century paper wrapper is pasted to f. 1r, and has the following annotations: (1) verso, annotation by Malchair: 'An Instrumental Piece for 2 Tribles Tenor and Bass'; (2) recto, annotation by Havergal: '10 airs, rondeau &c: in 4 parts'. No early bookplates. 19th-century shelfmark: 'I.2'. Each partbook is now sewn into a modern wrapper of thin card, and mounted impermanently on cords within an early 20th-century folder of stiff card and vellum. Formerly Mus. 1053 (see the printed label pasted to the original upper wrapper), then Mus. 1125.

Provenance: probably from the Goodson bequest, together with all other manuscripts related to Mus. 34-6 (q.v.).

Microfilm: manuscript music, reel 39.