Author Archives: mj263

About mj263

Music Collections Supervisor at Cambridge University Library. Wide musical interests. Often to be found stuck in a composer's archive, or enthusing about antiquarian music.

Murderous rhymes

Posted on 24 September 2021 by mj263

Agatha Christie is one of my favourite detective novelists, writing 66 crime novels and 153 short stories between 1920-1973. She had many titles in her time, my favourite being, the “Duchess of Death”. She was also known as the “Mistress … Continue reading →

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To celebrate, to commemorate: Hugh Wood (1932 – 2021)

Posted on 17 September 2021 by mj263

“He was never blessed with self-confidence – and it makes his music so good. He gave it so much care and attention. He embraced life in all its dimensions – physical, mental and intellectual.” Thus writes Professor Edward Venn in … Continue reading →

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Female Singing Sensations Past and Present

Posted on 27 August 2021 by mj263

In this blogpost I shall be discussing six female singers, past and present, who have contributed hugely to the world of music. I had never heard of this lady before but Rosemond Mountain nee Wilkinson was said to be the … Continue reading →

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Spanning the decades – 20th century

Posted on 13 August 2021 by mj263

I was musing the other day, while listening to the Early Music Show on Radio 3, about what it would be like to live in another time period. What would I miss? What would I enjoy? This particular episode of … Continue reading →

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Anyone for tennis, croquet, football…

Posted on 30 July 2021 by mj263

It’s Olympic season, so it seemed like the perfect time to look through our Victorian songs collection, and see what the Sporting Victorian might be playing. Some are firmly established Olympic favourites, while others have had their moment, only to … Continue reading →

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The changing face of the Anderson Room

Posted on 16 July 2021 by mj263

If you want to know anything about the UL, Justin Burrows in Music is the person to ask. Our longest serving staff member, he’s a mine of information on the Anderson Room, and its changing look. Here he recalls a … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday!

Posted on 17 June 2021 by mj263

It was announced earlier this week that the UK record industry exported nearly £520 million over the last year, second only to the USA in terms of music exports. It’s not altogether a happy story though, despite punching well above … Continue reading →

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I’m Pergolesi!

Posted on 4 June 2021 by mj263

There’s a famous scene towards the end of the film, Spartacus. The Spartan rebels have been rounded up, and told by a Roman General that they are about to die a particularly horrible death. There is a way out though, … Continue reading →

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Sarah: return to the Anderson Room

Posted on 21 May 2021 by mj263

So, back again after another lockdown. Everything the same, but different!? Same building, same office and desk, but only one other colleague instead of six. It is so lovely to see “virtual” friends again and have a cup of tea … Continue reading →

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At home (and work) with Catherine

Posted on 7 May 2021 by mj263

I have been working at home doing MONYCS [editor’s aside – MONYCs (Music Ordered Not Yet Catalogued), are one of our behind the scenes card catalogues, housed in an array of what look like shoe boxes. It looks as though … Continue reading →

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