Processing and securing of next part of music manuscripts from Wroclaw University Library

Since 1.10.2009 till 30.04.2010 in the Music Collection Department of Wroclaw University Library, the next part of music manuscripts from the Library has been cataloged thanks to the donation received from the Foundation for Polish- German Cooperation (Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej) as well as technical support provided by RISM Zentralredaktion from Frankfurt am Main.

The group of Wroclaw’s musical items that presently belongs to Wroclaw University Library originates from several sources. Items gathered in the Library serve as basis for researches on field of general music history and, due to their specificity and connection with region, also for Silesian music researches.

Continuation of the work in system, in which music materials will be cataloged in unified way, in electronic program prepared by specialists, seems to be one of the most beneficial form of cooperation with scientists.

During the cataloging process several groups of manuscripts originating from Silesia region were processed. Among them, four main groups can be distinguished, that are related with creators active in Wroclaw in 19th century and in the beginning of 20th century. Owners of these collections were the following composers: Gottlob Siegert, Hermann Berthold, Max Ansorge and Max Thomale.

Gottlob Siegert (born 6 May 1789 in Ernsdorf – presently part of Dzierzoniow [Reichenbach], died 1868 in Wroclaw).
Since 1802 he was connected with St. Bernard Church, first as a vocalist, and since 1812 as a cantor. He was also a teacher in Holy Spirit city school. In both places he was leading choirs. Siegert used to write down notices on manuscripts with his characteristic handwriting. He always signed his manuscripts. 5 manuscripts that belong to the St. Bernard Church can be clearly distinguished on basis of provenance signs. During researches, next 9 manuscripts originating from his private collection were entered into computer program.

Hermann Berthold (born 14.4.1819 in Dresden – died 20.3.1879 in Wroclaw)
He was connected with St. Bernard Church, first as an organist (from 1854), and later – since 1857 – also as a cantor. He was an author of many sacral scores for orchestra and piano. Among processed items of this composer there were 10 autographs of scores for choir with accompaniment of organs or orchestra. Separated collection of 6 manuscripts of scores for choir with accompaniment of organs or orchestra, that judging by margin notes, were part of his private collection, was also processed during research. His monumental work, Die Hunnenschlacht, for soloist, two choirs and grand symphonic orchestra, was conducted circa 1880 by Wroclaw’s choir Cäcilia.

Max Thomale (born 22.11.1867, died 11.1.1932) was composer and an organist active in Wroclaw. As well educated music and singing teacher in grammar school by St. Mary Magdalene Chuch, on 19.02.1904 he took over position of the cantor in Erlöserkirche Church (it did not survive to our times). During the cataloging process his 29 manuscripts were processed with addition of 4 manuscripts that belonged to his private collection. Majority of these items are scores for vocal with accompaniment of piano, 8 scores for choir and two scores for piano.

Max Ansorge (born 1.10.1862 in Strzegom [Striegau], died 12.5.1940 in Namyslow [Namslau])
He studied in Königliche Hochschule in Berlin in years 1884-1887, since 1887 till 1891 he was cantor and organist in St. Jacob Church in Stralslund. In years 1891-1896 he worked as the second organist in St. Bernard Church. In 1896 he was engaged as an organist in Luther Church, were he remained till 1908. During the cataloging process, 82 of his autographs were processed with addition of 4 manuscripts that most likely belong to his private collection. In most cases processed items were scores for vocal with accompaniment of piano or organs and scores for choir.

All listed above music scores were processed in the computer program Kallisto and entered into International Inventory of Musical Sources RISM (Répertoire Internationale des Sources Musicales) database, according to the agreement between the Wroclaw University Library and the Foundation for Polish- German Cooperation.

In the framework of financial support of the Foundation for Polish- German Cooperation, 250 manuscripts were cataloged and they can be found in RISM international database under numbers: 301.009.037 ; 301.009.0340 ; 301.009.0342 ; 301.009.047 – 301.009.099 ; 301.009.106 – 301.009.109 ; 301.009.201 – 301.009.390.

As a result of the Wroclaw University Library’s own financial contribution, 150 manuscripts were cataloged during working hours of the Music Collection Department and they can be found in RISM international database under numbers: 301.009.038 – 301.009.039 ; 301.009.041 ; 301.009.043 – 301.009.046 ; 301.009.100 – 301.009.105 ; 301.009.110 – 301.009.200 ; 301.009.400 – 301.009.447

The report from the above listed activities was created after correction and approval of the electronic records by the staff of RISM Zentralredaktion in Frankfurt.