The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

1627

© Martin Creek, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Story of Handel’s ‘Water Music’ Clay Lane

Handel’s German boss fired the composer for spending all his time in London. When they met again, it was... rather awkward.

Read

1628

© Steve Evans, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Story of ‘Messiah’ Clay Lane

The first thing George Frideric Handel’s oratorio ‘Messiah’ did was to set a hundred and forty-two prisoners free.

Read

1629

© inharecherche, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Seikilos Epitaph Clay Lane

Lost for seventeen centuries, caught up in a war, and used as a pedestal for a plant pot, this is the world’s oldest surviving song.

Read

1630

© Philip Capper, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

A Lullaby to Sorrows Clay Lane

A Scottish widow’s lullaby for her fatherless child inspired his music, but Brahms’s message struck closer to home.

Read

1631

© P.g.champion, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

A Touch of Silk Clay Lane

A Dubliner with a roving eye and a gift for melody, John Field challenged Europe’s pianists to demand more of themselves.

Read

1632

© Karl and Ali, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

William of Cloudsley Clay Lane

William is Cumbria’s very own blend of Robin Hood and William Tell - with a happy ending, too.

Read