Music has always played a fundamental role in the life of a great church; it is therefore fitting that a library founded in the 17th century and located in the 11th century part of the Abbey should hold such a fine and varied music collection.
The majority of the collection is choral music scored for voices with various accompaniments. Much of the printed music is Italian, mostly of the 17th century, including sacred works by Bassani. Colonna, Foggia, Gratiani and others. Less predictably there is also a good selection of secular works including songs and madrigals by Monteverdi and Ferretti.
A distinctive feature of the collection is the number of works which reflect the close relationship between the Abbey and the Crown. There is a manuscript copy of John Blow’s masque Venus and Agonis written to entertain Charles ll. Likewise, one finds the manuscript of The King Shall Rejoice one of the anthems written by Handel for George II’s coronation in 1727. Similarly the works by English composers in the collection are by those who, like Blow, Purcell and Gibbons held both a position at Court and the post of Organist at the Abbey.
The microfilm of the collection directly follows Squire’s Catalogue, which is itself included in the microfilm.
32 reels
Reference: WAM
Contents
I. Printed Works – Liturgy (1555 – 1847)
(a) General
| Reel | Item Number | Press Mark | Author/Title |
| 1 | 1 | CE15 | Manuale ad usum Celebris ecclesie Sarisburiensis … London 1555 |
| 2 | CB92 | Processionale ad usum insignis ecclesie Sarisburiensis … London 1555 | |
| 3 | CG32 | The choral responses and litanies of the United Church of England and Ireland. Rev. John Jebb. London 1847 |
(b) Sacred Choral Music
| Reel | Item Number | Press Mark | Author/Title |
| 1 | 4 | CH3 | Allegri, G.B. Canto o tenore motetti. Amsterdam n.d. |
| 5 | CG33 | Arne, T.A. Judith, an oratorio. London 1787 | |
| 6 | CH3 | Barsanti, F. Sei Antifone. n.d. | |
| 2 | 7 | CF1 | Bassani, G.B. Canto. Armonici entusiasmi di Davide overo salmi concertati. Venice, 1695 |
| 8 | CF2 | Bassani, G.B. Canto. Concerti sacri motetti. Bologna, 1697 | |
| 9 | CF3 | Bernabei, G.E. Sacrae modulationes. Munich 1691 | |
| 3 | 10 | CF4 | Bononcini, G.E., Canto primo choro. Messe brevis. Bologna, 1688 |
| 11 | CG34 | Bononcini, G.B. Anthem performed at the funeral of John, Duke of Marlborough. London, 1737 | |
| 12 | CF5 | Byrd, William. Gradualia, seu cantionum sacrarum. London, 1610 | |
| 13 | CF6 (2) | Colonna, G.P. Canto primo choro. Compieta con le tre sequenze dell’anno. Bologna, 1687 | |
| 4 | 14 | CF6 (1) | Colonna, G.P. Canto primo choro. Litanie con le quattro antifone della B. Vergine. Bologna, 1682 |
| 15 | CF7 (1) | Colonna, G.P. Canto primo choro. Salmi brevi per tutto l’anno. Bologna, 1681 | |
| 16 | CF7 (2) | Colonna, G.P. Canto primo choro. 11 secondo libro de salmi brevi. Bologna, 1686 | |
| 17 | CF8 | Colonna, G.P. Cantus primus. Psalmi ad vesperas. Roma 1694 | |
| 5 | 18 | CF9 | Colonna, G.P. Cantus primus chorus. Psalmi … libertertius. 1694 |
| 19 | CF10 | Cossoni, CD. Canto priroo choro. Litanie e quattro a antifone dell’anno. Bologna, 1671 | |
| 20 | CF11 | Cossoni, CD. Canto primo choro. Quattro messe. Milan, 1964 | |
| 21 | CF12 | Dering, R. Cantiones sacrae, quinque vocum. Antwerp, 1617 | |
| 22 | CF13 | Dering, R. Cantica sacra. (Six voices). Antwerp, 1618 | |
| 6 | 23 | CF14 | Foggia, F. Cantus. Concentus ecclesiastici. Rome, 1645 |
| 24 | CF15 | Foggia, F. Concentus ecclesiastici. Antwerp, 1658 | |
| 25 | CF16 | Foggia, F. Cantus primus. Psalmodia vespertine. Rome 1667 | |
| 26 | CF17 | Foggia, F. Canto primo. Mottetti et offertorii. Rome, 1673 | |
| 27 | CF18 | Foggia, F. Canto I. Messe. (ed. G.B. Caifabri). Rome, 1675 | |
| 7 | 28 | CF19 | Foggia, F. Cantus primus. Offertorla. Rome, 1681 |
| 29 | CG35 | Galliard, J.E. The Morning Hymn, taken from the fifth book of Milton’s Paradise lost. London, n.d. | |
| 30 | CG36 | Gibbons, O. A collection of the sacred compositions of Orlando Gibbons … Rev. Sir Frederick A. Gore Ousely. London, 1873 | |
| 31 | CG1 (4) | Grand1, A. Canto. 11 quarto libro de motetti. Venice, 1616 | |
| 32 | CF20 | Grand1, A. Canto primo choro. Salmi per i vesperi della Madonna. Bologna, 1680 | |
| 33 | CF21 | Gratiani, B. Canto primo. Litanie. Rome, 1665 | |
| 8 | 34 | CF22 | Gratiani, B. Canto I. Sacri concerti. Rome, 1668 |
| 35 | CF23 | Gratiani, B. Canto primo* Mottetti. Rome, 1676 | |
| 36 | CF24 | Gratiani, B. Canto primo. Musiche sagre, e morali. Rome, 1678 | |
| 37 | CF25 | Gratiani, B. Cantus. Psalmi vespertini. Rome, 1652 | |
| 38 | CG37 | Greene, M. Forty select anthems in score … London, 1743 | |
| 39 | CGl (3) | Gualtieri, A. Canto pri. 11 secondo libro de mottetti. Venice, 1612 | |
| 40 | CG38 | Handel, G.F. The anthem performed at the funeral of Queen Caroline. London n.d. | |
| 41 | CG39 | Handel, G.F. Te Deum et jubilate … London n.d. | |
| 9 | 42 | CF26 (1) | Lassi, Orlandi di. Discantus. Sacrae cantiones. Munich, 1572 |
| 43-44 | CF27 (1) | Le Jeune, C Haut-contre. Pseaumesen vers mezurez … .Paris, 1606 | |
| 45 | CF27 (2) | Le Jeune, C. Second livre des meslanges. Paris, 1612 | |
| 10 | 46 | CF28 | Le Jeune, C. A further example for six voices |
| 11 | 47 | CF29 | Penna, L. Canto primo choro. 11 sacro parnaso delli salmi. Bologna, 1677 |
| 48 | CG1 (8) | Poechlus, 1. Harmonia concertans. Id est: Cantiones sacrae. Nuremberg, 1623 | |
| 49 | CGI (2) | Puliti, G. Canto. 11 secondo libro delle messe. Venice | |
| 50 | CF30 | Rigatti, G.A. Canto e alto ripleni della messa e salmi .arlosi. Venice, 1643 | |
| 12 | 51 | CF31 | Sorte, B. Cantus primus. Vespertine omnium solemnltatum psalmodia duoque cantica Beatae Virginia ac Hymnus. Venice. 1593 |
| 52 | CF32 | Stlava, F.M. Canto primo. Salmi concertati. Bologna, 1694 | |
| 53 | CF26 (2) | Utendal, A. Sacrarum cantionum. Nuremberg, 1571 | |
| 54 | Weldon, J. Divine Harmony. Six select anthems … London, 1714 |
(c) Secular Choral Music
| Reel | Item Number | Press Mark | Author/Title |
| 13 | 55 | CF33 | Anerio, F. Madrigeli a sei voci. Antwerp, 1599 |
| 56 | CF46 (18) | Anniba Le Padovano. 11 primo libro de madrigali a cinque voci, Venice, 1564 | |
| 57 | CF41 (7) | Barera, R. 11 primo libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1596 | |
| 58 | CF34 | Bassani, G.B. La moralita armonica, cantate. Bologna, 1690 | |
| 59 | CF41 (9) | Dentice, S. 11 secondo libro de madrigali a cinque voici | |
| 60 | CF41 (2) | Ferretti, G. 11 primo libro delle Canzoni, alia Napolitana a cinque voci. Vineggia, 1582 | |
| 61 | CF41 (3) | Ferretti, G. 11 secondo libro delle … Vineggia, 1581 | |
| 62 | CF41 (4) | Ferretti, G. 11 terzo libro delle … Vineggia, 1583 | |
| 63 | CF41 (5) | Ferretti, G. 11 quarto libro delle … Vineggia, 1583 | |
| 64 | CF35 | Fontanelli, C.A. Secondo libro de madrigali senza nome Venice, 1619 | |
| 14 | 65 | CF46 (15) | Gabrieli, A. 11 secondo libro dl madrigali a cinque voci … Venice, 1572 |
| 66 | CGI (6) | Gentile, 0. 11 primo libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1616 | |
| 67 | CF46 (17) | Ingegneri, M. 11 terzo libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1580 | |
| 68 | CG40 | Jackson, W. Elegies. London, n.d. | |
| 69 | CF46 (14) | Lasso, Orlando dl. 11 secondo libro di madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1574 | |
| 70 | CF52 (5) | Lasso, Orlando di. La fleur des chansons. Antwerp, 1612 | |
| 15 | 71 | CF46 (6) | Marenzio, L. 11 primo libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1580 |
| 73 | CF36 | Marenzio, L. Madrigali a cinque voci. Antwerp, 1593 | |
| 74 | CG1 (5) | Missimo, G.L. Primo libro di madrigali a cinque voci. Venice | |
| 75 | CF48 (6) | Monte, P. Il Quarto libro delli madrigali, a cinque voci. Vineggia, 1581 | |
| 16 | 76 | CF37 | Monteverdi, C. Canto concerto. Settimo libro de madrigali Venice, 1628 |
| 77 | CF38 | Another edition, Venice 1641 | |
| 78 | CF39 | Monteverdi, C. Canto, madrigali e canzonette, Venice, 1651 | |
| 79 | CF46 (8) | Nanino, G.M. and Stabile, A. Madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1581 | |
| 80 | CF40 (1) | Nenna, P. 11 primo’ libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1617 | |
| 81 | CF40 (2) | Nenna, P. 11 quarto libro de … Venice, 1617 | |
| 82 | CF40 (3) | Nenna, P. 11 sesto libro de … Venice, 1618 | |
| 83 | CF40 (4) | Nenna, P. 11 Settimo libro de … Vince, 1624 | |
| 84 | CF4K1 | Neriti, V. Canzonette a quattro voci. Venice, 1593 | |
| 17 | 85 | CF4K10 | Qartieri, P.P. Madrigali a cinque voci. Rome, 1592 |
| 86 | CF46 (9) | Rore, C. de. 11 quarto libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice. 1580 | |
| 87 | CF46 (10) | Rore, C. de. 11 quinto libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1574 | |
| 88 | CF42 | Roretta, G. Madrigali concertati. Venice, 1640 | |
| 89 | CF43 | Sabbatini, G. Libro de madrigali. Antwerp, 1640 | |
| 90 | CF46 (16) | Sabino, I. Madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1580 | |
| 91 | CF41 (8) | Savioli, A. Madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1595 | |
| 18 | 92 | CF44 | Vecchi, 0. Madrigali a sei voci. Venice, 1591 |
| 93 | CF45 | Vecchi, 0. Convito musicale di Horatio Vecchi. Venice, 1597 | |
| 94 | CF4 (11) | Venturi, S. Il primo libro de madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1592 | |
| 95 | CG1 (7) | Visconite, S. Le sirene adriatiche. Venice, 1615 | |
| 96 | CF46 (1) | Wert, G. de. Il primo libro de madrigali a cinque .voci. Venice, 1571 | |
| 19 | 97 | CF46 (2) | Wert, G. de. Il secondo libro de madrigali … Venice, 1575 |
| 98 | CF46 (3) | Wert, G. de. Il terzo libro de madrigali … Venice, 1572 | |
| 99 | CF46 (4) | Wert, G. de. Il quinto de libro de madrigali … Venice, 1580 | |
| 100 | CF46 (5) | Wert, G. de. Il settimo libro de madrigali … Venice, -1581 |
(d) Compilations (Printed)
| Reel | Item Number | Press Mark | Author/Title |
| 20 | 101 | CF46 (11) | 11 secondo libro de le muse a cinque voci. Composto da diversi eccellentlssimi musici … Venice, 1559 |
| 102 | CE10 | The tenor morning and evening prayer and communion with diverse other godly prayers and anthems … London, 1565 | |
| 103 | CF46 (12) | 11 terzo libro delle muse a cinque voci. Composto da diversi eccellentisslmi musici … Venice, 1580 | |
| 10A | CF46 (13) | 11 libro delle muse … Venice, 1582 | |
| 105 | CF48 (5) | Dolci affetti madrigali a cinque voci de diversi eccellenti musici di Roma. Vineggia, 1585 | |
| 106 | CF48 (2) | De floridi virtuosi d’Italia: il secondo libro de ma madrigali a cinque voci. Venice, 1585 | |
| 107 | CF48 (1) | De floridi virtuosu d’Italia; il primo libro de madrigal … Venice, 1586 | |
| 21 | 103 | CF48 (3) | De florid! virtuosi d’Italia: il terzo libro de madrigali … Venice, 1586 |
| 109 | CF48 (4) | Spoglia amorosa madrigali a cinque voci, di diversi eccellentissimi musici. Venice, 1588 | |
| 110 | CF49 (3) | Symphonica angelica di diversi eccellentissimi musici. Antwerp, 1590 | |
| 111 | CF49 (4) | Melodia Olympica di diversi eccellentissimi musici. Antwerp, 1591 | |
| 112 | CF49 (1) | Musica divina. Antwerp, 1591 | |
| 22 | 113 | CF49 (2) | Harmonia celecte di diversi eccellentissimi musici. Antwerp, 1593 |
| 114 | CF50 (4) | Melodia olympica. 1593 | |
| 115 | CF50 (3) | Symphonia angelica. 1594 | |
| 116 | CP50 (1) | Musics divina. 1595 | |
| 23 | 117 | CF41 (6) | 11 lauro secco. Libro primo di madrigali a cinque voci, di diversi autori. Venice* 1596 |
| 118 | CF50 (5) | Le rossignol musical des chansons de diverses et excellens autheura … Antwerp, 1598 | |
| 119 | CF51 | De floridi virtuosi d’Italia. Madrigali a cinque voci .., Antwerp, 1600 | |
| 120 | CF52 (3) | Melodia olympica. 1611 | |
| 121 | CF52 (2) | Symphonia angelica, 1611 | |
| 24 | 122 | CF52 (1) | Musica divina. Antwerp, 1614 |
| 123 | CF52 (4) | Harmonia celecte de diversi eccellentissimi musici. Antwerp, 1614 | |
| 25 | 124 | CB59 (2) | Ayres, made by several authors: and sung in the masque at the marriage* of Robert, Earl of Somerset and Lady Frances Howard … London, 1614 |
| 125 | CGI | 11 prlmo libro de motetti .. de diversi eccellentissimi authori. Venice, 1624 | |
| 126 | CG2 | Cantus floridus. Modulorum Hortus, ab excellentissimi musices auctoribus.. Rome, 1647 | |
| 127 | CG3 | Canonicus de sylvestris a Barbarano, florlda verba a celeberrimis musices auctoribus. Rome, 1648 | |
| 128 | CG4 | Canonicus de Sylvestris a Barbarano, Las alias sacras cantiones, ab excellent issiirais musices .. Rome, 1650 | |
| 129 | CG5 | Canonicus de Sllvestris a Barbarano, sacras cantiones duabus variis vocibus ab e*cellentissimus musices … Rome, 1672 | |
| 130 | CG31 | Harmonia Sacra; or Divine Hymns and dialogues … London, 1688 |
(e) Instrumental Works (Printed)
| Reel | Item Number | Press Mark | Author/Title |
| 26 | 131 | CH3 | Anon. The Musical circle, London, c.1769-1780 |
| 132 | CG410) | Boyce, W. Twelve sonatas for two violins. London, 1747 | |
| 133 | CG42 | Caldara, A. Sonate. Venice, 1693 | |
| 134 | CG6 | Corelli, A. Sonate. Rome, 1688 | |
| 135 | CG7 (1) | Corelli, A. Sonate. London, n.d. | |
| 136 | CG7 (2) | Corelli, A. Sonate. London, n.d. | |
| 137 | CG7 (3) | Corelli, A. Sonate. London, n.d. | |
| 138 | CG7 (4) | Corelli, A. Sonate. London, n.d. | |
| 139 | CG41 (2) | Festing, M.C. Six sonatas for two violins and a bass. London, 1742 | |
| 140 | CG43 | Geminiani, F. Concerto grossi … London, 1746 | |
| 141 | CG44 | Handel, G.F. Six sonatas … London, n.d. |
II Manuscripts
(a) General
| Reel | Item Number | Press Mark | Author/Title |
| 27 | 142 | CG45 | Bassani, G.B. Laudate Dominum. 18th century |
| 143 | CG46 | Bassani, G.B. Fifteen secular songs. 17th century | |
| 144 | CH3 | Blow, J. Venus and Adonis. 17th century | |
| 145 | CG8 | Bonononcini, G.B. Te Deum Laudamus. (Transposition to D). 18th century | |
| 146 | CG9 | Caldara, A. Confitebor a 3. 18th century | |
| 147 | CG10 | Caijissiai, G. Dudicium Salomonis. 18th century | |
| 148 | CG11 | Carissimis, Giacomo “Oratorio della SS.ma Vergine”; oratorio di Daniele prof eta. 17th century | |
| 149 | CG12 | Coljonna, G.P. Laudate Pueri Ex. 18th century | |
| 150 | CG13 | Colonna, G.P. Beatus Virgine. 18th century | |
| 151 | CG47 | Collonna, G.P. Laetatus. 18th century | |
| 152 | CG14 | Fago, N. Dixit a S. Con ripiene a varii strometi … 18th century | |
| 153 | CG15 | Fedjeli, R. Gloria in Excelsis a. 4 voci | |
| 28 | 154 | CG16 | Fiocco, G.G. O Maria quia te laudare Motet turn de Beata Virgine. 18th century |
| 155 | CG17 | Fuxi, J.J. Missa a 10. 18th century | |
| 156 | CG18 | Gabrielli, D. Messa a 5. 18th century | |
| 157 | CGI 9 | Gruja, C.L.P. Alleluia, Fideles plaudits a 11. 18th century | |
| 158 | CG48 | Handel, G.F. 1) Dettinger te Deum. 2) Anthem: The King shall rejoice. 18th century | |
| 159 | CG49 | Handel, G.F. Israel in Egypt. 18th century | |
| 160 | CG20 | Keller, M. Credo a 4, and Crucifixus a 3. 19th century | |
| 161 | CG21 | LasBo, Orlando di Sacrae lectiones norem ex propheta Job 18th century | |
| 29 | 162 | CG22 | Leo, L. Kyrie und Gloria in D. 18th century |
| 163 | CG23 | Lotti, A. Magnificat a 5. 18th century | |
| 164 | CF | Lotti, A. Crucifixus a 5. 18th century | |
| 165 | CH3 (1) | Negri, Francesco. Laudate Dominum, in E6. 18th century | |
| 166 | CJ4 (2) | Negri, F. Te Deum Laudamus, in C. 18th century | |
| 167 | CF40 (1) | Nenna, P. Il primo libro de madrigal 1 a cinque voci 18th century | |
| 168 | CG50 | Palestine, G.P. Offertorieri. 18th century | |
| 169 | CG24 | Pepupch, J.C. 0 sing unto the Lord a new song, in B6. 18th century | |
| 170 | CC25 | Pergolesi, G.B. Messa, Kyrle, Gloria and Credo in D. l8th century | |
| 171 | CG51 | Pergolesi, G.B. Confitebor in C. 18th century | |
| 30 | 172 | CG26 | Pergolesi, G.B.. Miserere a 4 voci. 18th century |
| 173 | CG52 | Pergolesi, G.B. Messe. Kyrie and Gloria in F. 18th century | |
| 174 | CH3 | Porta, C. Vobis datum est rosci myscerium. 18th century | |
| 175 | CG53 | Porta, G. Dixit Dominus. 18th century | |
| 176 | CU3 (2) | Purcell, H. “Mr H. Purcell’s Diocesian score”. “Finis. 1701 Jan” | |
| 177 | CG54 | Rosenmtiller, J. Laudate pueri Dominum. 18th century | |
| 178 | CG55 | Scarlatti, A. Oratorio a 4 voci. 18th century | |
| 179 | CC56 | Terradellas, D.M.B. Luminosa consurgit. Motecta a 4. 18th century | |
| 180 | CF53 | McKie, W. A chant book for use in Westminster Abbey. 1957 | |
| 181 | CH3 . | Fiocco, S. Mottette e Messa. Late 17th Century |
(b) Anonymous & Compilations (Manuscripts)
| Reel | Item Number | Press Mark | Author/Title |
| 31 | 182 | CH3 | Adjutorium nostrum a 4. “From the fine manuscript in the King’s library. 18th century |
| 183 | CH3 | Agies to Theos. 18th century | |
| 184 | CG27 | Airs de differents compositeurs. 1678. (A collection of English, French, Italian and Spanish lieder) | |
| 185 | CH3 | Gaudete exercitlls coeli. Motette a 3. 18th century | |
| 186 | CC57 | Kyrie Eleison a 10. 18th century | |
| 187 | CC58 | Kyrie, Gloria and Credo a 4 et 5. 18th century | |
| 188 | CC59 | “Score of madrigals and anthems”. (Including works by J. Bennet, Palestrina, Pevernage and Verdonch). 18th century | |
| 189 | CG28 | Maazaferrata, G.B. and others. Dixit Dominus, in G. Lauda Jerusalem, a 4. 18th century | |
| 190 | CC60 | Pergolesi, G.B. Laudate Pueri Dominum. And Durante, F | |
| 191 | CG61 | Colonna, G.P. Lauda Jerusalem, a 5; And Bassani, G.B. Lauretanische Litanei, a 4; Jam exulta, jam laetare. 18th century | |
| 32 | 192 | CG62 | Motetten. (15) Anon. 17th century |
| 193 | CG63 | Songs sacred and secular (19). Mostly Italian, Carissimi, Bassani etc. 17th century | |
| 194 | CC64 | The psalm: Miserere mei (Italian text) Anon. 18th century | |
| 195 | CG29 | Five sacred works by Pepusch, J; Carissimi, G. (Jephta); Bassani, G.B.; Scarlatti, A. 18th century | |
| 196 | CG65 | Colonna, G.B. Three excerpts from sacred works. And Bernabel, E. Perfice gressus meos, in G. And Bassani, G.B. Alma Parens, in G. 18th century | |
| 197 | CG66 | Colonna, G.B. Dixit Dominus, in G. Laudate Dominum a 5. Bernabei, E. Quemadmodum desiderat. And, longe a mundo. 18th century | |
| 198 | CG67 | Lotti, A. Confitebor Domine, a 4. Casparini, F. Dixit Dominus | |
| 199 | CG3 | Te Deum in C, a 4. Anon. 18th century | |
| 200 | CH3 | Asioli, L. Tre canoni a tre voci… in n.d. |