Archive of Sir William Henry Harris, KCVO

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The archive chiefly comprises music manuscripts and printed editions of music by W.H. Harris, with some correspondence received by Harris or his family after his death. A small quantity of books and scores owned by Harris and often inscribed to him is also included, along with a small number of recordings.

Dates

Creation: 1891-2006

Extent

0.64 Linear metres (13 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference (if applicable), e.g. MS. Mus. b. 628].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Mus. b. 623-631; MS. 22983/1-2; MS. Mus. Records 1; MS. Mus. Tapes 5

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 22983

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

Sir William Henry Harris KCVO (28 Mar 1883–6 Sep 1973) was an English organist, choral trainer and composer. He trained at the Royal College of Music and was organist successively of New College and Christ Church, Oxford and St George's Chapel, Windsor. Harris retired from Windsor in 1961 and moved to live in Petersfield, Hampshire, where he continued to compose. Harris is best-known as a choral composer, particularly for his two double-choir anthems 'Faire is the Heaven' and 'Bring us, O Lord God'. For more information, see Grove Music Online.

Arrangement

The music in the collection is arranged in categories broadly corresponding to those used by John Henderson and Trevor Jarvis in their catalogue of Harris' music. References to that catalogue are given in the descriptions as 'HJ' numbers. Within each category, music is mostly arranged alphabetically by title.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Given by the composer's grandsons, Duncan G.M. Eggar and Robert N.M. Eggar, 2023.

Separated Materials

Printed music from the collection is catalogued in SOLO and has been allocated shelfmarks beginning Mus. 305 c.18 and Mus. 305 d.18. Commercial recordings owned by Harris are stored as Mus. Records 17-20.