Identity area
Reference code
Title
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'.
Repository
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
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
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