The Fitzwilliam Collection: 27 January

[doversoul1]

The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is home to priceless collection of manuscripts bequeathed to the university by the extraordinary 18th Century polymath, the 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam. Harpsichordist Sophie Yates visits the museum to explore the life and legacy of Fitzwilliam, whose now-famous Virginal Book is considered to be the primary source for late Elizabethan and early Jacobean keyboard music.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00027rw

Repeat? Not that it matters. No EML this week.

[ardcarp]

https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/collections/music

[oddoneout]

I have a CD bought years ago from the Fitzwilliam museum of Martin Souter playing items from the Virginal Book on harpsichord(modern) organ(old, Knole) and clavichord(19thC Dolmetsch), so I'll be interested to hear the programme.

[MickyD]

This is well worth seeking out, too:

[doversoul1]

A very elegant as well as informative programme. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[ardcarp]

Me too! Especially enjoyed the chat about the Italian harpsichord at the Fitzwilly...and hearing it played. There used to be a piece by (or attrib to?) Paradies who was mentioned in the programme. It was his Toccata. I think George Malcolm made it quite famous...and I must admit I enjoyed hacking through it as a teenager, though not quite at this speed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M3b9M-Bmk8

My, how the style of playing has changed, not to mention the instruments.

[BBMmk2]

I have both of those volumes of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Books. Quite a joy to play!

[Old Grumpy]

A very elegant as well as informative programme. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great to hear an expert and enthusiast conveying their expertise enthusiastically!

OG