Seven Solutions for Seven Problems: the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter answers questions posed by Elizabeth Cole in 1953:

What was the book; who made it?
when was it made and where?
How made, and with what motive;
and who in the book did share?

The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book is a vast anthology of keyboard music. Although doubt has been cast on the identification of its scribe, Francis Tregian was probably the copyist. Scribal practice and the contents of the manuscript suggest that copying began in England c.1605. A detailed physical examination of the manuscript and its scribal characteristics shows how it was made and elucidates the motivation lying behind its compilation. Tregian had contact with Catholic composers, and obtained some of his exemplars from Peter Philips on the Continent.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAspects of Early English Keyboard Music before c.1630
EditorsDavid J. Smith
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Pages163-183
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)9781351613873
ISBN (Print)9781138088672
Publication statusPublished - 14 May 2019

Publication series

NameAshgate Historical Keyboard Series

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