GB 1249 MS 7322-7323 - LAM, Basil (d 1984)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 1249 MS 7322-7323

Title

LAM, Basil (d 1984)

Date(s)

  • 1946-1989 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

5 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Basil Lam died on 4 Mar 1984 at the age of 69. He played the harpsichord in various ensembles, and was best known for his BBC radio broadcasts on early and baroque music, in particular for his series, `Plainsong and the rise of European music'.

Archival history

GB 1249 MS 7322-7323 1946-1989 Collection (fonds) 5 boxes Lam , Basil , d 1984 , musicologist
Basil Lam died on 4 Mar 1984 at the age of 69. He played the harpsichord in various ensembles, and was best known for his BBC radio broadcasts on early and baroque music, in particular for his series, `Plainsong and the rise of European music'.

Donated by Robert Layton, 1999.

Papers of Basil Lam, comprising typescripts and photocopies of BBC radio talks, 1963-1979, mostly relating to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, and including transcripts of his BBC Radio 3 series 'Plainsong and the rise of European music', 1978-1979; with press cuttings and concert programmes; typescripts, carbon copies and photocopies of concert programme and record sleeve notes by Lam, with concert programmes, mainly relating to performances of early and baroque music (particularly the works of Bach, Handel and Claudio Monteverdi), and including some BBC radio talks, articles for The Listener, and Promenade Concerts series programme notes, 1962-1981; cuttings (mostly Radio Times), relating to programmes featuring or of interest to Lam, and related programmes and handbills, including programmes for concerts by the Basil Lam Sonata Ensemble, 1946-1954; correspondence of Stroma Sutherland, Lam's executor, on publication of an article by Lam from material left unfinished at his death, on the 'Kyrie' from the B Minor Mass by J S Bach, 1985-1989; edition of The Listener containing `The ascendancy of plainsong', article by Lam, 15 Dec 1977; index to radio talks and programme/record sleeve notes.

As follows: radio talks; cuttings and programmes; Kyrie, B Minor Mass; concert programme and record notes. The programme and record notes are arranged chronologically by box: 1962-1967; 1967-1973; 1973-1981.

Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.

Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.
English.

There is an index to the radio talks and programme/sleeve notes contained within the collection (Ms 7322b). There is also an entry given in the supplement to volume 3 of the Manuscripts catalogue in the library of the Royal College of Music.

Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. May 2001 Bach , Johann Sebastian , 1685-1750 , German organist composer and master contrapuntist Basil Lam Sonata Ensemble Broadcasting Classical music Handel , George Frederick , 1685-1759 , musical composer Lam , Basil , d 1984 , musicologist Monteverdi , Claudio , 1567-1643 , Italian composer Music Musical performances Musical styles Musicology Radio Radio programmes Performing arts

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Donated by Robert Layton, 1999.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of Basil Lam, comprising typescripts and photocopies of BBC radio talks, 1963-1979, mostly relating to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, and including transcripts of his BBC Radio 3 series 'Plainsong and the rise of European music', 1978-1979; with press cuttings and concert programmes; typescripts, carbon copies and photocopies of concert programme and record sleeve notes by Lam, with concert programmes, mainly relating to performances of early and baroque music (particularly the works of Bach, Handel and Claudio Monteverdi), and including some BBC radio talks, articles for The Listener, and Promenade Concerts series programme notes, 1962-1981; cuttings (mostly Radio Times), relating to programmes featuring or of interest to Lam, and related programmes and handbills, including programmes for concerts by the Basil Lam Sonata Ensemble, 1946-1954; correspondence of Stroma Sutherland, Lam's executor, on publication of an article by Lam from material left unfinished at his death, on the 'Kyrie' from the B Minor Mass by J S Bach, 1985-1989; edition of The Listener containing `The ascendancy of plainsong', article by Lam, 15 Dec 1977; index to radio talks and programme/record sleeve notes.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

As follows: radio talks; cuttings and programmes; Kyrie, B Minor Mass; concert programme and record notes. The programme and record notes are arranged chronologically by box: 1962-1967; 1967-1973; 1973-1981.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.

Conditions governing reproduction

Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

There is an index to the radio talks and programme/sleeve notes contained within the collection (Ms 7322b). There is also an entry given in the supplement to volume 3 of the Manuscripts catalogue in the library of the Royal College of Music.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Royal College of Music

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area