Grand ambition calls on city’s musicians to revive Victorian golden oldies

The array of late 19^th and early 20^th century songs is part of a vast collection at Leeds Central Library, which includes a combination of well-known musical classics alongside forgotten songs penned by local composers.

Usually having comic, satirical or political themes, the raucous melodies would have been a hit with the eager crowds who packed into music halls and theatres which were hugely popular at the turn of the 20^th century.

With a small selection of sheet music currently on display outside the building’s newly refurbished music library, the search is now on for pianists and vocalists to perform more pieces at a series of events planned to celebrate Heritage Open Days this September.

The library is keen to hear from local pianists and singers who think they can take on the challenge of performing the historic hits, some of which have not been played in more than a hundred years.

Tunes which make up the collection include famed classics such as Ride a Cock Horse, billed as a “drawing room comic song” performed by Harry Liston, and George Leybourne’s “great comic song” The Organ Man which he both wrote and performed.

They are joined by titles including The Parson and the Clerk, sung by G H MacDermott and The Mouse-Trap Man, also by George Leybourne.

Other highlights include Mr and Mrs Baggs, described as “a most thrilling narrative giving an account of the frightful apparition, the appearance of which so affected Mrs B’s nerves that she was laid up for seven weeks after.”

The front cover shows the eponymous, pyjama clad Mr Baggs brandishing a blunderbuss at a terrified cat as his horrified wife looks on.

Lee Noon, music librarian at Leeds Central Library, said: “Music hall tunes like these were once a hugely popular part of leisure and entertainment in cities like Leeds, and would have been enjoyed by people of all different classes and backgrounds- they were very much the pop songs of their day.

“Many of these songs won’t have been performed or heard by an audience for more than a century now, and we’d love to give people in Leeds the chance to experience them again and for our local musicians to try and recapture a bit of what was really the golden age of music halls.

“Each of these pieces of music represents a little bit of the city’s musical history and it would be a really special moment to help bring them back to life again.”

The music hall songs are just one element of Leeds Central Library’s huge collection of sheet music. One of the biggest collections in the UK, the library loans pieces to orchestras and musical institutions across the country.

As well as a piano available to use, the building’s newly refurbished music library also includes specially created walk-in recording studios and podcasting facilities.

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “Our music library and its collection is an incredible resource for the city and a great example of the multi-faceted role which libraries have in our city and its communities.

“Having such a historic and unique array of music housed in Leeds is a real privilege and it will be wonderful if we can involve local talent in performing some pieces to celebrate the city and its heritage.”

Any pianists, singers and groups interested in performing some of the pieces this September can contact lee.noon@leeds.gov.uk using the subject line “Heritage Week Piano."

More information about Leeds Central Library including facilities and opening hours can be found at: Central Library | Leeds Library

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