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 in modern form. Display form found in manuscript.

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.