Research by Dr Andrew Frampton showcased on BBC Radio 3

Dr Andrew Frampton at the piano ready to record pieces from Louisa Winn’s music book

Dr Andrew Frampton, Lecturer in Music at St Catherine’s College, has contributed to a new five-part series for BBC Radio 3. The Song Detectorists sees Radio 3 presenter Matthew Bannister working with musicologists from Newcastle University and Royal Holloway, University of London, to explore a wide range of musical treasures in the county archives of Northumberland, Norfolk, West Yorkshire, Cornwall and Hampshire. The series is based on a pioneering project funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council, Music, Heritage, Place, on which Dr Frampton is a postdoctoral researcher. He and his colleagues have uncovered more than 600 musical materials in local archives across England. Much of this music heritage is previously unknown and changes our understanding of music-making in England from the 16th to the mid-19th centuries.

Dr Frampton’s research features in the second episode of the series, focusing on the personal music book of Louisa Winn (1800–1861) and her life at Nostell Priory in West Yorkshire. He takes Matthew Bannister to the West Yorkshire Archive Service in Wakefield to see the original manuscript, and also performs some of her music, recorded specially for the programme at SJE Arts in Oxford.

The Song Detectorists is a Rhubarb Rhubarb Production for BBC Radio 3. It is broadcast from 12–16 May on BBC Radio 3 as part of The Essay at 21:45, and is also available to stream and download on BBC Sounds.