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Sigh... some of the most fun that I've had is to hunt down and listen to lots of interesting music that I can use in our ensemble programming! I get to listen to lots of things, and then the task of finding the sheet music (preferably copies of the originals known as facsimiles...) starts.

Most often, the originals can be found on IMSLP... a large online music depository that often also has scans of original publications from the Baroque and Classical era. However, it does rely on crowds... and so, it is incomplete... especially when it comes to the more esoteric and lesser known composers of that period.

Still, mostly I do find what I need there... except this evening.

I was just doing a random listening around of lots of CDs on Spotify... I love this part of the job. Lots of interesting new groups, and lots of new discoveries... my saved playlist of potential things that I want to program is well over 2000 pieces... enough to last a few decades of concerts! But they are for varying ensemble compositions, so it is handy to have for the different types of configurations that we have!

One thing that really caught my eye (ear...) was an amazing set of airs by a Scottish Baroque composers... they are partly folk inspired, and they are the most amazing lively and beautiful things! A huge set of them...

... so, straight to IMSLP to seek out the scores and facsimiles. And they aren't complete... just a single second part, with no first and no continuo. ARHGHGHGHGHGGH!!!!!

So, to the ensemble that recorded it... I see that the director published the works in a modern format, and I can see them... they are nearly non-existent (they were published ages ago, and it might be difficult to source). Plus, they are only selections and not the complete work...

... a little bit more hunting around, and I see that the British Library (always a good place for finding the orignal sources of things) has the original facsimiles! So, straight to their website to order a copy... and the website link hangs.... and hangs... and hangs....

... check the news for news about the British Library... and it appears that they have been taken down by a cyberattack just yesterday!?!?!:!!?!?

NOOOONONONONONONONONOO... they should be back up in a week, and I will be straight there to try and order a copy!

Why are people targeting libraries for this sort of behaviour... hit the corporations and that sort of thing, but public libraries?

So, a few more days to wait before I can get these... I hope that they had digital backups of their archives... or at least that they weren't corrupted, otherwise it will be more of a pain in the arse (and potentially expensive) to ask a librarian to scan them again!

Speaking of Libraries, I really want to drop into the National Library of Australia to see what they have!

I can also be found cross-posting at:
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