J. Weir. Autograph draft for "New Every Morning", signed, 2020-2021

Sold in aid of the University of York Music Press (UYMP)

Judith Weir (b.1954)

Autograph manuscript draft for New Every Morning, signed ("Judith Weir")

a composing manuscript, notated in pencil and multi-coloured pens on systems of varying length, partly directly on the manuscript-paper leaf and partly on manuscript strips laid down on the leaf, with autograph numberings ("p58...p59...60...p.65"), and containing a number of erasures, revisions and corrections 

2 pages, oblong folio (29.7 x 42cm), no place, 14 March 2022

Judith Weir is one of the most distinguished living British composers. In 2014 she became the first female Master of the Queen's Music. New Every Morning was one of three extended pieces for large ensembles composed by Weir in the recent lockdown period. It was conceived for the amateur New Edinburgh Orchestra and received its premiere, with Tim Paxton conducting, on 19 March 2022.

Manuscripts by living composers have become rare items, swept aside by technology. Few composers cultivate individual calligraphy when they can access sophisticated music notation on their ipads or computers. This sale of autograph manuscripts, sketches and scores composed in the last twenty years therefore represents a special opportunity.

The manuscripts comprising lots 82-93 are offered for sale by the University of York Music Press (UYMP), a charity that champions contemporary concert composers, with a focus on helping younger composers establish themselves.

The lots in this section encompass music for the concert hall, opera house and film by some of today's best-known composers: Thomas Adès, George Benjamin, James MacMillan, and Debbie Wiseman. Included too are those who continue to write an elegant calligraphy - Robert Saxton, Michael Finnissy, and Judith Weir. Most topical is John Rutter's anthem for Ukraine. Particularly fascinating is a sketch by the late Harrison Birtwistle (his initials at the foot of the manuscript were the last thing he ever wrote).

Altogether, twenty-two composers are represented in the sale, all of whom have donated their manuscripts for the support of UYMP's charitable activity.