Ridgefield Book Lover Unearths Hidden Musical Treasures in Centuries-Old Books

Meet Ridgefield resident Nick Alexander, a self-proclaimed book hoarder and collector, whose passion for old books led him to uncover hidden musical gems tucked inside the covers of ancient tomes.

Alexander's fascination with collecting old books spans several decades, with a diverse collection that includes books dating back several hundred years. His treasures are sourced from local book sales, the Ridgefield Library monthly sales, Ridgefield Thrift Shop, as well as bookstores in Kent and Manhattan.

"I have collected old books as a hobby and have some in my collection that are several hundred years old. I own bookshelves filled with a few hundred old books collected from book sales and bookshops in the local area," shares Alexander, reflecting on the extensive range of his literary acquisitions.

The unexpected twist in Alexander's story begins with a desire to restore some of his ancient books lacking covers. In pursuit of suitable replacements, he found himself in a Boston bookstore that specializes in selling books from the 1700s. Little did he know that this quest for restoration would unveil a remarkable musical mystery.

"I thought, these are really beautiful books. Wouldn’t it be cool to actually get some leather covers and teach myself restoration? When I began to take the covers off, I found what looked like music, and yet totally alien, sitting behind them," recalls Alexander.

What he discovered within the seemingly ordinary books were musical scores that appeared to be out of place, almost like an intricate puzzle waiting to be solved. Intrigued, Alexander purchased additional volumes of the same type to uncover the full extent of this musical revelation.

"The musical sheets were inserted into the books in absolutely no order whatsoever. They’re literally jigsaw pieces. There was actually a great big puzzle to do to get to the position where I was able to put them together," Alexander explains, describing the meticulous process of unraveling the musical mystery.

As Alexander embarked on piecing together the fragments, he uncovered a treasure trove of music scores dating back 800 years. Most of the fragments, predominantly Gregorian or Latin chant music, were composed in the 1200s. Astonishingly, these ancient musical sheets were repurposed to bind 18th-century books in Paris, France.

Eager to validate the authenticity of his findings, Alexander sought the expertise of a team of Canadian university professors. The scholars confirmed the fragments' age, solidifying Alexander's discovery as a rare and valuable glimpse into medieval musical history.

The musical sheets, predominantly Gregorian or Latin chant music, offer a unique window into the musical practices of the 13th century. Alexander's find has been cataloged and examined by experts, with links to some of the sheets available through the Cantus Database.

This unexpected revelation has not only enriched Alexander's personal collection but has also contributed significantly to our understanding of medieval music and the historical reuse of materials. Ridgefield's book-loving resident has unintentionally become a custodian of a musical heritage that transcends centuries, reminding us that the hidden treasures within old books can still surprise and captivate us in the digital age.