A collection of over 200 bound volumes and 556 sheet music publications from the library of John Murdoch Henderson (1902-1972) of Aberdeen. It consists mainly of Scottish instrumental music (of the 18th and the 19th century) for the bagpipe and fiddle, reflecting Henderson's collecting of fiddle tunes both traditional and modern which led him to publish 'Flowers of Scottish Melody' (1935, reprinted 1986). This work includes some of his own tunes, and 'The Scottish Music Maker' (1957) also includes his arrangements of tunes by James Scott Skinner (1843-1927).

Organisation

The books have been catalogued individually and have the shelfmark 'MH.'.

Acquisition

The collection of printed and manuscript material was bequeathed to the Library by Murdoch Henderson and received in 1973. The bequest included a fund from which additions to the collection were purchased.

Related collections

The manuscripts include copies of works composed by Murdoch Henderson and autograph compositions of other composers, particularly from the Aberdeen area, most notably works by James Scott Skinner. The manuscripts are held at MSS.21669-21713.

References

'The National Library of Scotland: music manuscripts and special collections of printed music', TA Cherry, R Duce, M Simpson and I Maciver, Fontes Artis Musicae, Vol. 47, No. 1 (January-March 2000), 3-9.