Julian Herbage

Julian Livingstone Herbage (10 September 1904 – 15 January 1976) was a British musicologist, broadcaster and member of the BBC music department.

[2] The turning point in his career came in 1927, when his father recommended him to Sir John Reith, director general of the newly constituted British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

[1] At the BBC, Herbage's role steadily increased in importance; he became known as the corporation's musicologist, unearthing forgotten manuscripts, correcting corrupt editions of scores and arranging period music for broadcast.

[3] In 1935, for the 250th anniversary of Handel's birth, he prepared a scholarly performing edition of Messiah based on a manuscript score given by the composer to the Foundling Hospital.

[6] As the end of the Second World War approached, and with Sir Henry Wood, the founding figure of the Proms dead, the BBC set up a committee to consider the future running of the concerts.