Skip to main content

Collection of 127 songs, etc., copied by Edward Lowe

 Single Item
MS. Mus. d. 238

  • Request
    this

Collection of 127 songs, etc., copied by Edward Lowe, nearly all in English. Labelled 'Cantus 2dus 3 voc.', the volume contains the playing bass and second treble of each song. The majority of the songs are by John Wilson, published in his Cheerfull Ayres or Ballads (Oxford, 1660).

The volume containing the Cantus I and continuo bass part is in Edinburgh University Library (Ms. Dc. I. 69.), of which some of the missing pages are now in Birmingham Central Library (Ms. 57316). The sung bass part remains lost. See P. G. Walls, 'New Light on Songs by William Lawes and John Wilson', Music & Letters lvii (1976), pp. 55-64.

The unpublished items by Wilson include:

a (pp. 4-9) 'The Wake', in honour of Charles I and the Duke [of York], Witney, (18 June 1644)

b (pp. 10-11) Celebration of Wilson's D. Mus., [10 March 1644/5], beg. 'If the strings hold'

c (pp. 57-59) Lament for Charles I, beg. 'Weep gentle shepherds' 'dedicated, and sent to [Lowe] 3d January, 1649'

10 songs by William Lawes include:

d (pp. 195-193 rev.) [Donne's] 'When by thy scorn O murderess'

Works by other composers are:

e (pp. 28-32) Lament for Charles I by George Holmes, beg. 'Bright star instruct us'; another setting of the same words is on pp. 52-55

f (pp. 184-186) Oxford Act Music by Henry Bowman, beg. 'Good folk for love'

g (p. 202 rev.) 'Mr. George Hudson's Waytes', beg. 'Credo non poco'

Dates

  • Creation: mid-17th cent.

Extent

226 pages

Language of Materials

  • English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Mus. d. 238, p. 1].

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

Shelfmark:

MS. Mus. d. 238

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 16728

Abstract

Collection of 127 songs, etc., copied by Edward Lowe, mid-17th cent. 'Cantus 2dus' part only.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Lowe (1610-1682) was a composer, music copyist, organist and writer on music. See Grove Music Online for further details.

Custodial History

Armorial bookplate Robert Henley Esq., of Arlesford, Hants. [son of Anthony Henley; cr. Earl of Northington 1764(?)].

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Bought as lot 257 in Sotheby's sale, 29 June 1972.

Related Materials

A photocopy of the Cantus Primus part, Edinburgh University Library Ms. Dc. I. 69. can be found at MS. Facs. d.160.

Physical Facet

Contemporary leather binding, formerly tied with blue strings. viii + 218 pages: pp. 1-183 and (volume reversed) 1-19 were numbered by Lowe. 16 pp. were removed after p. 186.

Title
Collection of 127 songs, etc., copied by Edward Lowe
Status
Published
Date
EAD version 2019 by Hannah Jordan and Margaret Czepiel
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom