A woman called, asking how she would find out if classical musicians in prior centuries had access to libraries. Stumped, I told her that our music librarian would probably be able to help her. She called back twice, but didn't get to speak to Millie Vollono. So on Tuesday I raised the question with Millie, and she got a volume of the Grove Dictionary, opening it to libraries.
Music in libraries might go back to Ras Shamra (see earlier posting). Music was found in libraries of monasteries, then of cathedrals. Music for the liturgy, for services and masses was kept in cathedrals, which made such music more accessible, as cathedrals were in populated centers (in contrast to monasteries, which tended to be isolated). Martin Lither encouraged the construction of public libraries to help people learn. Conservatories, which were built in the 17th, 18th centuries, made printed music available to students.
A lesson learned.
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