This work investigates the historical development and composition of the music manuscript collection housed within Durham Cathedral. Author Brian Crosby provides a detailed cataloging of the organ books and part-books that have served the cathedral's liturgical and musical needs over several centuries. By analyzing the provenance and contents of these manuscripts, the text establishes a framework for understanding the evolution of cathedral music traditions and the specific contributions of key donors like Philip Falle and Richard Fawcett.

Experts recognize this catalog as a foundational reference for researchers focusing on English cathedral music and the history of liturgical performance. Scholars frequently cite the text for its meticulous documentation of the seventeenth and eighteenth-century manuscript collections.