Music Library News

February 2007 Archives

February 12, 2007

Exhibit Honors Oliver Knussen

Manuscript detail from Oliver Knussen, Symphony No. 3, op. 18, 1973-1981 (General Manuscript Collection, Northwestern University Music Library)To welcome Oliver Knussen as the latest winner of the School of Music's Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Musical Composition, the Music Library presents Modern English: Manuscripts by 20th- and 21st-Century British Composers. Through his sketches and manuscripts, this exhibit highlights Knussen's meticulous craftsmanship, which has garnered his place as one of today's most celebrated musicians. Along with works by Knussen, the music of other prominent British composers is represented, including Sir Malcolm Arnold, Benjamin Britten, Peter Maxwell Davies, and Michael Nyman.

Featured Manuscripts

  • Oliver Knussen (b. 1952). Sketches and manuscript for Masks, op. 3, for solo flute with glass chimes ad lib. 1968-1969. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Knussen. Sketch for Masks II [unfinished work]. 1968-1971. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Knussen. The Valley Wind. 1965; rev. 1984. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Knussen. Table for Five [on back of placemat from Hackney�s restaurant]. 1970. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Knussen. Sketches and working manuscript for Symphony No. 3, op. 18. [1973-1981] General Manuscript Collection.
  • Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006). Divertimento. 1950. General Manuscript Collection.
  • David Bedford (b. 1937). Scientific American Piece for John Tilbury. [1966?] John Cage Notations Collection.
  • Sir Arthur Bliss (1891-1975). Piano reduction of Swallows from A Knot of Riddles. 1963. John Cage Notations Collection.
  • Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). Publisher proofs for Saint Nicolas, op. 42, with autograph corrections. 1948. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Gavin Bryars (b. 1943). Hōyū Spoke No Words. [1965?] John Cage Notations Collection.
  • Peter Maxwell Davies (b.1934). Winterfold. 1986. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Alexander Goehr (b. 1932). Suite, op. 11. [1961] General Manuscript Collection.
  • Wilfrid Mellers (b. 1914). Sketches for Love Story. [1967] John Cage Notations Collection.
  • Michael Nyman (b. 1944). Sketch for The Garden is Becoming a Robe Room from The Draughtsman's Contract. 1982. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (1892-1988). Third Symphony for Piano Solo. 1959. General Manuscript Collection.
  • Sir Michael Tippett (1905-1998). Manuscript and early draft of libretto for The Knot Garden. [1966-1969] General Manuscript Collection.