Composers from around the world have donated handwritten manuscripts of their works to BBC Radio 3, to be auctioned off as part of the BBC Children in Need appeal. Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir is among those who have given scores. Other donors include Sir James MacMillan, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Raymond Yiu and Eric Whitacre, whose virtual choir became an internet sensation with its performance of Lux Arumque in 2010.
The manuscripts range from initial sketches of works to full hand-written scores. Turnage’s controversial opera Anna Nicole, based on the life of Anna Nicole Smith, is among the full-score manuscripts, whilst MacMillan has donated an original sketch for the main theme in his tone poem The Confession of Isobel Gowdie.
The first ever BBC Children’s appeal was a radio broadcast in 1927, and raised £1,143, 18 shillings and three pence. Since 1980, the organisation has raised over £780m to help disadvantaged children across the UK.
The manuscripts are can now be viewed, and bid for, on the BBC Radio 3 website until midnight on Friday 13 November.
This year's BBC Children in Need televised appeal will take place on 13 November.