New Light on Early Tudor Composers. XIX. Richard Davy Author(s): W. H. Grattan Flood Source: The Musical Times, Vol. 62, No. 942 (Aug. 1, 1921), pp. 552-553 Published by: Musical Times Publications Ltd. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/910005 . Accessed: 04/02/2015 11:42 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Musical Times Publications Ltd. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Musical Times. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 128.235.251.160 on Wed, 4 Feb 2015 11:42:48 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 552 THE MUSICAL TIMES-AUGUST I 192I sentimentaltosh, must not complain if classed with an English composer. Dr. R. R. Terry describes rest of tosh merchants. Meanwhile, regret no it as 'smooth, easy, and flowing; it displays a very Order of Biscuit at If were, high standard of contrapuntal technique; but, above recognised disposal. it is and This shouldaward it-First Class-to writerof advertise- all, expressive, virile, dramatic.' most is found in an ment. should to of interesting composition early Something go composer century MS. belonging to Eton College; though, as well-should toss him Biscuitette. I6th balladettes alas! through vandalism, only forty-three perfect compositions remain out of the ninety-eight which Restaurant music long since a noisy in the Index. Of these ,bore-- appear forty-three, now become positive obstacle to busy man's Richard Davy contributedsix, namely,'O Domine taking nourishment. Hungry and hurried last celi terreque creator' (five parts), 'In honore night-unusual experience-the former,that is- summe matris' (five parts), 'Salve Jesu Mater totteredfainting into ever-open door of popular vere' (five parts),' Stabat Mater' (five parts), 'Virgo and 'Salve restaurant-sank into seat-huge place-got up templum'(five parts), Regina' (fiveparts). The books to regardless-dreamt-I-dwelt-in-marble-hallskind of 'Pryke-Song' belonging King's Secured attention of College, Cambridge, in 1529, contain an 'Autem' thing. neat-handed Phyllis and there are other him modest order by Davy, compositions by -gave befittinghumble journalist. in the Harleian MS., 17o9, St. John's College, and Crash from orchestraat far end of hall about the Cambridge University Library, as well as a furlong away-burly baritone burst into three three-partsongs with English words in the ballad - 761 diners ceased stoking- same famous Fayrfax MS. in the British Museum number of forks suspended between plate and (Add. MSS. 5465). Two of his English carols each due of victuals- are very interesting, namely, 'Ah I blessed Jhesul' mouth, bearing portion * strong-alien-throat of and 'Ah, my hart, remember.' baritone going brass-- we have such admirable of foreheadof ditto--lungsof leather-glad thereis a Yet, though specimens Davy's sacred and secular works, Dr. Terry says that between us. Meanwhile pangs of hunger furlong 'as a composer he is entirely unknown to-day,' and developing rapidly-that sinking feeling-beckon that regarding his biography very little is known neat-handedPhyllis. 'Is food coming?' Phyllis save that 'he flourished in the late 15th and early very sorryand all that-cannot fetch food till I6th centuries.' Up to the present, the only details song over-instructions-much as place is worth. of Davy's life are in the very brief sketch of him Ventureto explain'came for food,not forconcert. contributed to the new edition of Grove's ' Dictionary Have no use for concert just now, but immediate of Music and Musicians' (I904)-and these details are and use for food. Point of view one solitary paragraph of less than four lines- pressing It is as to the new to -- - calls- by Mr. J. F. R. Stainer. well give evidently Phyllis nonplussed text in order to show how is the information officer another alien. 'Ver' meagre superior ; sorry! that has been hitherto unearthed regarding such a No can streekt orders-silence while ze do; distinguished composer: 'Richard Davy or Davys, a museek; she not long now-near feenish.' In composer of some repute, was choirman, organist, support of plea, indicated suspended forks and informator chorislarum at Magdalen College, (only 760 now, one impatientclient silently wolfing Oxford, from 1490 to 1492.' under cover of eveningpaper). Nothingfor it but After patient research I have not been able to wait. When song ended at long last forks got thoroughly to unravel the mystery that seems to ihe life Richard I have busy again, and Phyllis procured food. Managed enshroud story.of Davy, yet to bolt it-then bolted as succeeded in piecing together a few new facts that myselfjust Leather-lungs serve as a basis for a future musical historian. on hind for another Shall avoid may got legs song. First of as he was about sixteen when he entered restaurantin future. Don't like this of all, application Magdalen College,Oxford, we are safe in dating his old saw, 'No song,no supper.' Good deal to be said birth about the year 1467, and, as has been seen, he for its inversion,though. Dreamt last night was was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at West-End concert-hall--consultedprogramme of his College in 14go-remaining in officefor two and waited for firstsong. Attendantapproached years. Possibly he remained at Oxford for some respectfully-Sorryto keep me waiting,but rule time longer (probably for the sake of his divinity and became a in at which date of management, 'No supper, no song.' Tit-bit studies), priest 1497, with sauce Richard Parker was appointed organist. to-night,'C6telette Ernest, Diaghilev.' fact of a in Would I wait for till I have eaten ? The Davy being priest 1497 disposes kindly song of the made to me a few a Would I? Would I Cutlet suggestion years ago by not? delicious-just clerk in the Public Record Office, that possibly he decided, after all, much to be said in favour of was to be identified with Richard Davy, who was encores, when woke up. granted an annuity of 6d. a day on February 15, i 501. This suggestion cannot stand, because the NEW LIGHT ON EARLY TUDOR latter namesake was 'a yeoman of the crown, and COMPOSERS King's servant,' as is evident from the printed 'Calendar of Patent Rolls' of Henry VII. (T494- BY W. H. GRATTAN FLOOD XIX.-RICHARD DAVY 1509).Richard Davy was chaplain to Sir William One of the mostattractive items in the programmeBoleyn in 15o01, in which year was born Anne of the Holy Week music at Westminster Cathedral, Boleyn(grand-daughter of Sir William),destined to in 1921, was the performanceof the four-partbe the unfortunate wife of Henry VIII. His name Passion for Palm Richard Sunday, by Davy, " For much kind help in locatirg Davy's MSS. I am indebted to probably the earliest example of Passion Music by Mr. H. B. Ccllins, Mus. B. This content downloaded from 128.235.251.160 on Wed, 4 Feb 2015 11:42:48 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions THE MUSICAL TIMES-AUGUST I 1921 553 appears in deeds of the years 1505 and I506; and thecrowd, and others. In Davy's score,a magnificent in the latteryear, on May 15, he was a partyto a effectis producedby theglorious setting of thewords : licence of alienation of the Manor of Stiffkey,in 'Vere filiusDei erat iste' (' Trulythis was the Son of Norfolk,to the use of Sir Thomas Boleyn. Another God'), assigned to the Centurionand the watchers deed mentionshim as one of the feofeesin a grant at the Crucifixion.In oppositionto the conventional of the Manors of Filby, Possewyk,West Lexham, methodadopted by othercomposers, who treatthese and Carbrooke(May 15, 1506),to the use of Thomas words'in awe-strickenaccents,' Davy 'makes it ring Boleyn, son and heir of William Boleyn, Knight, out as a triumphantconfession of faith.' Although deceased.* Apparently the priest-composerwas the firstthree Turba choruses are missing in the continuedin the serviceof Sir Thomas Boleynfrom Eton MS., and thoughthe trebleand tenorparts are 1506 to 1516, the principalfamily residence being also missingfrom the four choruses which follow, Blickling,in Norfolk. Dr. Terry has with rare skill supplied the missing Apropos of Sir Thomas Boleyn,whose father had choruses of the former from other portions of married one of the co-heiresses of the Earl of Davy's own music,which fit the wordsto perfection, Ormonde,an Irish traditionhas it thatAnne Boleyn and he has writtennew trebleand tenorparts for was born at the Castle of Carrick-on-Suir,in 1501, choruses 2 to 5 in the same contrapuntalstyle or early in 1502. Certainly,the popular idea that of the composerand the period,quite a triumphof thislady's birthtook place in 1507cannot be sustained, restoration. as she was a Dame-in-Waitingto the French Queen, So successful was the performanceof Davy's Claude, in 1519-a position that could scarcely be Passion Music at Westminster Cathedral on held by a girl of twelve! Thomas, 7th Earl of Palm Sunday that it will probably become a Ormonde,died onAugust8, 1515,leaving his immense permanentfeature of the liturgicalservices on that English estates,containing seventy-two manors, to day in future,just as Byrd's magnificentPassion his two daughters,the elder of whom (Anne) was Music is associated with the solemnitiesof'Good Dame St.