The Memory of the World registry program was launched by UNESCO over thirty years ago to raise public awareness about the vast diversity of the world’s documentary heritage and to support the protection and preservation of that heritage. In addition to the international registry, national registries have also existed since 2014. Austria’s UNESCO Commission manages one of them. This year, nine new entries were added to the Memory of Austria documentary heritage registry. One of them was the Conventual Franciscan Central Library and Archive in Vienna.
This newly recognized entry contains a musical heritage collection housed in the archive. During an inventory, Professor Friedrich RIEDEL categorized these works as “pre-1784.” This collection, primarily assembled by Friar Alexander GIESSEL, OFM Conv. (1694-1766), contains a significant amount of music that was written, copied, and performed at the imperial court. The statement released explaining why this collection was being included in the national Memory of the World registry reads: “The collection of music prior to 1784, mostly from the private collection of the Conventual Franciscan priest, Friar Alexander GIESSEL (1694-1766), holds exceptional historical and musical value, not least due to its coherence. It brings together original manuscripts written by well-known and important composers such as Johann Josef FUX, Gottlieb MUFFAT, Antonio CALDARA, Matthias Georg MONN, Georg Christoph WAGENSEIL, and others.
The works assembled in Friar Alexander GIESSEL’s collection reflect a crucial moment in European musical tradition and its transformation from the pre-classical to the classical period. Furthermore, these works illustrate the peak period of splendor of the Conventual Franciscan friary in Vienna and provide deep insights into the musical practices of individual Conventual Franciscan friars, over a period of more than fifty years, based on numerous dedications and handwritten proprietary notes.
Some of the works are bound in elaborate and expensive bindings. They clearly demonstrate the value placed on active musical practice within the Conventual Franciscan Order. Friar Alexander GIESEL and other friars thus join a long and influential tradition of Franciscan spirituality through music. The music collection also has great value beyond the Conventual Franciscan sphere, as it illustrates the close connections that members of the Order had with musicians, composers, the Habsburg imperial family and the city of Vienna.”
The ceremony for the presentation of new admission certificates took place on December 16, 2024, at the Austrian National Library. The certificates were accepted on behalf of the Order by the Custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Leopold and St. Nicolas of Flüe in Austria-Switzerland, Friar Bernhard LANG and by the Librarian of the Central Library, Pol B. EDINGER. In a brief statement, Friar Bernhard emphasized the immense cultural, musical, and literary wealth that the Conventual Franciscans safeguard in their Central Library and Archive in Vienna. He stressed the importance of making these collections accessible to science and society. Being added to UNESCO’s Memory of Austria documentary heritage registry points to the great cultural treasure preserved by the Conventual Franciscans who have been present in Austria for eight hundred years!
Friar Bernhard LANG, Provincial Custos
