Cyril "Charles" Leonard Elwell Cudworth (30 October 1908 – 26 December 1977) was a British musicologist, librarian, and librettist.

Life

Born in Cambridge as the second son of David Cudworth, Cudworth was known as “Charles”. Encouraged in his musical studies by Edward J. Dent, he became Assistant Librarian of the Music Section at Cambridge University Library from 1943 to 1946. Three years later, he was appointed Librarian of the Pendlebury Library of Music later becoming Curator in 1957 and holding this post until he retired. In 1958, he was awarded an Honorary MA degree by the

University Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

. He was also a founder Member of the International Association of Music Libraries. Cudworth's musicological interests focussed on eighteenth century English music and he was an authority on the English

symphony A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning com ...

, keyboard

concerto A concerto (; plural ''concertos'', or ''concerti'' from the Italian plural) is, from the late Baroque era, mostly understood as an instrumental composition, written for one or more soloists accompanied by an orchestra or other ensemble. The typi ...

and

Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque composer well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Handel received his training i ...

. He established that ‘ Purcell's Trumpet Voluntary’ was by Jeremiah Clarke. He was also a contributor to the

Encyclopaedia Britannica An encyclopedia (American English) or encyclopædia (British English) is a reference work or compendium providing summaries of knowledge either general or special to a particular field or discipline. Encyclopedias are divided into articles ...

and the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. In addition, he was also interested in local history, architecture, poetry and was librettist for several works by his friend

Patrick Hadley Patrick Arthur Sheldon Hadley (5 March 1899 – 17 December 1973) was a British composer. Biography Patrick Sheldon Hadley was born on 5 March 1899 in Cambridge. His father, William Sheldon Hadley, was at that time a fellow of Pembroke Co ...

Select bibliography

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cudworth, Charles 1908 births 1977 deaths British librarians British librettists People from Cambridge Music librarians 20th-century British musicologists Handel scholars