1503-46 Carver Choir Book

One of the very few pre-Reformation manuscripts of Scottish church music to have survived. It belonged to Robert Carver, from 1508 a canon of Scone Abbey, who is widely regarded as the greatest Scottish composer of the 16th century. The manuscript contains works both by Carver himself and by other composers of the period.

This is the only known source for Carver's work, which is often in the highly technical polyphonic church choral music tradition of High Renaissance style. His masses and motets may have been written for use by a choir at Scone Abbey or at the Chapel Royal at Stirling. The volume was probably compiled between 1513 and 1520, with some additions as late as 1546.

Adv. MS. 5.1.15

Carver choir book

270mm

print Top of page Close window