John Purser

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Dr John Purser, born in 1942 in Glasgow, Scotland, is an eminent composer, musicologist, historian and writer.<ref name=cd>cover notes from Scotland's Music CD</ref><ref>Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - News</ref>

He initiated the reconstruction which commenced in 1991 of the Iron Age Deskford Carnyx, producing a replica which was first played in 1993.<ref>The Carnyx an Acient Instrument</ref>

The book Scotland's Music <ref>Purser, John, Scotland's Music: A History of the Traditional and Classical Music of Scotland from the Earliest Times to the Present Day, Mainstream Publishing 1992 ISBN 1-85158-426-9</ref> published in March 1992 provided a major reference work on musical history from the Bronze Age to the present. It was followed by a thirty programme radio series of the same title which he wrote and presented, broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland and totalling 45 hours, with recordings commissioned for the series including reconstructions of early music and works by many little known composers. A double CD was subsequently produced with a small selection of the music.<ref name=cd/> His work has contributed to a revival of interest in such composers as John Clerk of Penicuik<ref>John Clerk of Penicuik (1676-1755), Concerto Caledonia</ref> and John Thomson.<ref>John Thomson bicentennial festival</ref>

His plays include the radio play Carver about the 16th century Scottish composer of church music.<ref name=cd/>