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Fraser, Marjory Kennedy-, 1857-1930 (singer, pianist, folk-song collector and arranger)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1857 - 1930

Biography

Marjory Kennedy-Fraser, singer, pianist, folk-song collector and arranger, was born in 1857. She was the daughter of singer David Kennedy (1825-1886). Her series of works The songs of the Hebrides published variously between 1909 and 1922 remain a useful resource for both Gaelic and English speakers. She collected songs chiefly in the Western Isles. Aware that the material collected would, in the concert performance, lose something of the original essence, she provided the songs with sensitive accompaniment. For service rendered to the cause of music in Scotland, an honorary degree of Doctor of Music was conferred on her in 1928. Marjory Kennedy-Fraser had also been awarded the C.B.E. She died on 22 November 1930.

Found in 59 Collections and/or Records:

‘Tolmie & Gesto’, c 1878-1912

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Scope and Contents ‘Tolmie & Gesto’. Bundle of various publications and sheets, contains notes by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser on Deirdre, Caristiona, and Oscar, manuscripts and typescripts. Four loose leaves from Orain agus fuinn Ghaidhealach/Popular Gaelic Melodies, edited by W. S. Roddie & L. Macbean, Part 1, 2nd edition, Inverness: J. M. Duncan,...
Dates: c 1878-1912

Two arrangements, manuscripts, 4 November 1869

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Scope and Contents Two arrangements, manuscripts ‘Andante Con Moto, No. 2, An Eriskay Lullaby’, arranged for orchestra in 24 parts by anonymous, manuscript. ‘The Lang awa’ Ship’, ‘Words by I. B. [Isabella Boyd], Arranged with symphonies & accompaniments (to an old scottish [sic] melody) by W. N. Watson’, arranged for voice and piano, with dedication: ‘This, the first MS.[ manuscript] copy, is...
Dates: 4 November 1869

Two notebooks, c 1910-1930

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Scope and Contents Two notebooks. Softbound, black, 14x24 cm, 34 (32+2) pages, cover embossed ‘Music’, marked ‘Helen P. Kennedy-Fraser, 3 Mayfield Road, Edinburgh’, manuscript, contains several Gaelic songs, arranged for voice and harp by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser; softbound, cover missing, 14.5x23.5 cm, 86 pages, also one loose sheet, manuscript, contains several Scots and Gaelic songs, arranged for voice and harp by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser, most arrangements include printed cuttings of text...
Dates: c 1910-1930

Various items, c 1907-1928

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Scope and Contents Various items. Some music sheets, presumably Marjory Kennedy-Fraser’s original notations of the songs, sheet including ‘Capt. [Captain] Ritchie, Iona, June 1928’, ‘Angus Macphail, Iona, June 1928’ (also on separate sheet, marked ‘Iona Waulking Song d A Angus Macphail’), ‘Rope-hauling chanty’, double-sheet, marked ‘Lewis’, including ‘Waulking Tunes – from the Lewes’: ‘Herman Dubh’, ‘’S...
Dates: c 1907-1928

Various Marjory Kennedy-Fraser manuscripts, deposited in 1962, c 1907-17 March 1962

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Scope and Contents

Various Marjory Kennedy-Fraser manuscripts, deposited in 1962. ‘From Kennedy-Fraser, 6 Castle Street, Edinburgh, Mrs Hood’, envelope, marked ‘from Mrs Patuffa K. F. [Kennedy-Fraser] Hood, Battel [sic.] Lodge, Hastings Road, Battle, Sussex, Deposited by Miss Daphne K-F [Kennedy-Fraser]. 17/3/1962 [17 March 1962], D.20276, in Gen. 287’, containing various Songs of the Hebrides arrangements, for voice and harp, manuscripts.

Dates: c 1907-17 March 1962

Various Marjory Kennedy-Fraser manuscripts, deposited in 1967, 1 April 1923-19 May 1967

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Scope and Contents Various Marjory Kennedy-Fraser manuscripts, deposited in 1967. Envelope, marked ‘Given by Mr Megaw S.S.S. [School of Scottish Studies], 19/5/67, Pat Kennedy-Fraser gift, E67/28’, containing letter from Basil Megaw to Mr Finlayson, Edinburgh, 18 May 1967. Marjory Kennedy-Fraser Lecture – ‘Theosophical’, ‘Traces of Esoteric Tradition in Hebridean Lore. Paper read by Mrs...
Dates: 1 April 1923-19 May 1967

Various Publications, c 1910-c 1920

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Scope and Contents Various publications. Winter Journey/Die Winterreise, by Franz Schubert, ed. by E. Pauer, London: Augener & Co., [n.d.], softbound, binding broken, some leaves missing, various leaves from a different copy appended, also loose leaves from other song collections. Programme, Boston Symphony Orchestra,...
Dates: c 1910-c 1920

Various Scots tunes, piano duets, etc, c 1900-1930

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Scope and Contents Various Scots tunes, piano duets, etc. Miscellaneous Marjory Kennedy-Fraser arrangements of Scots tunes, in no particular order, including ‘Hebridean Airs for Cello & Piano, by M. Kennedy-Fraser’, folder, containing working material/sketches for arrangements of Hebridean airs for cello and piano, manuscripts, also cello part of A Hebridean Suite for Violoncello and Piano,...
Dates: c 1900-1930

Various sheet music, c 1908-1917

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Scope and Contents Various sheet music. ‘Highland Love Song’/‘Gu ma slan a chi mi’, translated by Professor Blackie, arrangement for Soprano Alto Tenor Bass by Hugh S. Roberton, London: Curwen, c 1917. ‘Cradle Song’/‘My Fragrant One – Mo chùbhrachan’, English text by M. N. Munro, arranged SA by Granville Bantock, London: Curwen, c 1914. ‘March of the Cameron Men’,...
Dates: c 1908-1917