Web presentations
From the archives: Monthly feature
In this section, each month one item from the music archives will be presented. A selection will be made of a diversity of objects – music manuscripts, letters, utensils, photographs, etc. – which show glimpses of the connections between musicians and events in Dutch and international musical life.
'Beatrijs' as opera: Three works in the archives
of the Nederlands Muziek Instituut
The Medieval Dutch poem about the nun Beatrijs (Beatrix) has inspired many poets and composers. In the NMI archives three operas based on this legend may be found: Soeur Béatrice, by Willem Landré (1911); Beatrijs, by the same composer (1925); and Beatrijs, by Ignace Lilien (1928). A lecture about these operas by musicologist and NMI staff member Lodewijk Muns is here published as web presentation (Dutch only).
Liszt manuscripts: A bicentenary presentation
On the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Franz Liszt (1811-1886), the NMI presents a selection of manuscripts in its Franz Liszt Collection. A choice was made of two letters and two music manuscripts. The letters show Liszt at very different stages of his life and in very different capacities. The music manuscripts, two of the Petrarch Sonnets in their second version for voice and piano, are interesting as evidence of the process of rethinking and recomposing that was a characteristic aspect of Liszt’s rich artistic life.
Marie Taglioni (1804-1884): A life on toe tip
An unexpected little treasure among the NMI archives is a collection of objects which have belonged to the famous ballet dancer Marie Taglioni (1804-1884). Taglioni is one of the most important figures in dance history; as Sylphide she has created the archetype of the romantic ballerina. The objects in this collection have inspired musicologist Lodewijk Muns to a search for their connections and meaning within Taglioni's career.
The Scheurleer Museum of the History of Music
The private museum of banker and music historian Daniël François Scheurleer (1855-1927) constitutes the historic core of the Netherlands Music Institute. Scheurleer created his museum in the first decades of the 20th Century. After his death the collection was threatened with dispersion as a consequence of the economic crisis. In 1933 the Municipality of The Hague acquired the collection. This article provides a virtual tour through Scheurleer’s lost museum.
Johann Gottfried Walther: The Frankenberger Manuscript (ca. 1730)
The so-called Frankenberger Manuscript is one of the most precious items in the collection of the Netherlands Music Institute. It contains 196 organ chorale settings from the period 1650-1730, compiled and copied by the composer and organist Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748).
Franz Liszt: Correspondence with Marie Espérance von Schwartz
This presentation contains images of these four letters together with transcriptions, translations and extensive commentary.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Galimathias Musicum K32
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed Galimathias Musicum in March 1766, shortly after his tenth birthday, on the occasion of the inauguration of Prince William V as stadholder of the United Provinces.
Alphons Diepenbrock: Music Manuscripts
This collection contains autographs of all the compositions of Alphons Diepenbrock (1862-1921). Also included is a selection of photographs, correspondence and a few audio fragments. The music of Diepenbrock is one of the highlights in Dutch music history.
