The British Library has a world-famous collection of printed and manuscript music, sound recordings, concert programmes and books and periodicals on music.
Some of the Library's printed and manuscript music treasures are on display in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library, including:
- The Old Hall manuscript
- Handel's Messiah
- Mozart's marriage contract
- Beethoven's tuning fork
- Schubert's song 'An die Musik'
- Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' from A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Ravel's Bolero (a version for piano duet)
- Sketches for Elgar's Third Symphony
- Vaughan Williams's film music for Scott of the Antarctic
- The Beatles lyrics (including manuscripts of 'Yesterday' and 'I wanna hold your hand')
Researchers can study printed and manuscript music from the reference collections in the Library's Reading Rooms. Photocopies and/or digital images can be obtained (subject to copyright and conservation restrictions) from Imaging Services.
The British Library Sound Archive holds the Library's music recordings. You can make an appointment to listen to these via the Listening & Viewing Service.
Follow the links on the right to find out more about the Library's printed music, music manuscripts and archives, and music books, periodicals and concert programmes.
Contact
Music Collections
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7412 7772
Fax: +44 (0)20 7412 7751
E-mail: Ask the Reference Team
