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Composers' wills / last testaments

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 3:31 pm
by 4candles
I wasn't sure whether or not to include this under the 'Morbid matters (perhaps not so musical)' thread, but the issue of composers' wills has interested me from time to time over the years.

They would be (and are, no doubt) useful sources of information when it comes to tracking down hard-to-find scores, in situations where estates may have been bequeathed to family members or close associates.

There are a number of music scores I would love to be able to track down (especially of French composers), and this could be one source of information.

Are there online resources for this kind of thing? I know libraries have archives (eg the BnF in Paris), but is that where copies of wills/last testaments would be kept?

Anyone with any information/thoughts?

Many thanks
4c

Re: Composers' wills / last testaments

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 6:47 pm
by Jean-Séb
4candles wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 3:31 pmAre there online resources for this kind of thing? I know libraries have archives (eg the BnF in Paris), but is that where copies of wills/last testaments would be kept?
As far as France is concerned, testaments are not normally made available to the public. They are often drawn up and kept by "notaires" in their archives.

Re: Composers' wills / last testaments

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:36 pm
by 4candles
Thanks for that Jean-Séb! :)