Explore key works of early 20th century classical music

Birds and music

The British Library’s latest online resource provides unprecedented access to their music collection.

The site features over 100 treasures including manuscripts, first editions, letters, concert programmes, sound recordings and photographs.

Reflecting a period of intense musical activity, the site reveals the ways in which key composers of the period experimented with new forms and genres, and responded to the social, political and cultural environment of their time.

It includes manuscripts by, among others, Benjamin Britten, Edward Elgar, Frederick Delius, Maurice Ravel, Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. You can also browse articles, information on specific musical works, and teachers’ notes designed to support the study of music at GCSE and A Level.

[Information sourced from the British Library web site]