Lecture and lunch: Mendelssohn and more – discover the University’s musical treasures

Lecture by Dr Bryan White: Mendelssohn and the Freemantle Collection

How did a church organist from Sheffield amass the largest collection of autograph material relating to Felix Mendelssohn outside the composer’s own family? And how did it end up in the Brotherton Library? Come and hear about a neglected Yorkshire story, and a collector whose contribution to the musical holdings of Leeds University Library is only now being fully appreciated.

Dr Bryan White is co-curator of the upcoming exhibition “Gather them in”: the Musical Treasures of W.T. Freemantle. At the University of Leeds he is Director of Research and Innovation at the School of Music and Director of the Clothworkers Consort of Leeds, an auditioned chamber choir.

Exhibition and musical treasures viewing

After the lecture there will be the opportunity to view the exhibition “Gather them in”: the Musical Treasures of W.T. Freemantle as well as see and hear about some of Special Collections’ other musical treasures relating to composers such as Rachmaninov and Vaughan Williams.

Concert and lunch

A short performance of Mendelssohn’s work by members of the Clothworkers Consort of Leeds will precede a two course lunch at University House.