(?)

ble to say I am on comparatively new ground. There is nothing so surprising to me as the universal neglect-nay, I may even use the word disdain-with which musical historians of many periods have treated the name of Richa

n, Dr Armitage Robinson (always interested in the Library, and also, I may add, in my musical researches) found that they were part of the Wedding Service of the fourteenth century. The binding was promptly taken off, the Deering books rebound, and handed on to me. I proceeded to score some of the first book-published in 1617-and had not done many bars before it was plain I was indeed about to unearth a treasure. Full of beautiful Harm

y at a sale of some of the old Deering books-of a set of parts of these Motets. He applied to Mr Sale (a very prominent member of the musical profession, a Lay-Vicar of Westminster Abbey and a principal singer at the "Ancient Concerts") to get these Motets scored for him. A letter from Sale's daughter apologizes for delay, and says "her father does not think it will be worth while to go to any great expense, as he has tried some parts of it (i.e. the

otets (uncut!) were sold (at his deat

ick Ouseley actually writes of his style as "severe and correct, but very dry"! These verdicts amaze me! They are absolutely untrue, at least as regards Deering's great works, his Motets. I question if Burney or Ouseley ever heard one of them. They may have founded their opinion upon some of his less important works, published

most the only bit of information which historians tell us is that "Cromwell was very fond of his music," and that John Kingston, the organist, with two of his boys, often sang Deering's music to the Protector. The mention of

he personal history

ering traces his descent was the one headed by William Deering of Petworth, in co. Sussex, and his wife, Eleanor Dyke. Th

some time in England, where his name being highly cried up, became after many entreaties, Organist to the English Nuns living at Brussels." It is not easy to discover

ntury before, seem to have intermarried with certain of the Italian nobility. Lady Elizabeth Grey does not appear in any record

t go to Italy until about ten years of age, all such records of First Communions made in Italy being registered at St John's Lateran." Dr Lillin

f the 1617 Motets it would appear that it was in Rome that he wrote them. In this dedication he speaks of having composed th

nswer to an inquiry, the Keeper of the Archives said that there is a record of Deering's supplication, and it is stated that his plea is granted "providing he shall have composed a work of eight parts for

Christ Church, forasmuch as he hath spent ten years in the study and practise of music,

7. I have always entirely doubted that this had any foundation in fact. I believe it is a misprint for 1617, and it was not likely twenty years would elapse between the publication of two sets of Motets by so

edition of Grove's Dictionary, all give 1597 instead of 1617; and Burney and Hawkins say he was forced to leave England when the troubles of Charles I began. Hawkins says he was Organist

statements about this musician. Let me rather now turn

s at Brussels he proceeded to that city and became Organist to the Convent. It was whilst there that he published in 1617 his fine series of Cantiones Sacrae for

increased favour with which they are received and the frequent performance of them by great choirs. The ignora

ey,[1] and the Preface is so interesting I feel justified in giving it (with the t

es to sacred words. I do not think the second set is as good as the first. But there are some very fine things in it, one of the best being "Silence prevailed in Heaven," a dramatic account of

have already in the case of Weelkes and Gibbons explained the circumstances attending this recovery. Deering's Fancy is the most elaborate of the three, and, besides a number of Cryes which the other musicians omitted, he has preserved to us some most interesting and charming Tradesmen's Songs-those of the Swepe,

be few. Some are to be found in Durham Cathedral Library. On the marriage of Charles I, he was appointed Organist to the Queen Henrietta Maria

nd his music. I have devoted much time to the elucidation of the history and the reproduction of his work, and feel in doing th

extraordinary man. I think the following account from

e country and no one molest him." He thought he was not properly rewarded, and later on was guilty of treachery. He was, of course, Roman Catholic and greatly in the confidence of the Jesuits. He actually went to Spain to advise the best method of conquering England. He recommended that Ireland should be made the basis of operations, and that troops should

permission to return to England, and died at Ghent in 1630, and was honoured with a magnificent public funeral. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Egerton of Egerton,

es Sacrae f

Continuo

EERING, E

to the

uns in th

d Virgin Mary

tw

use of Pe

6

ica

Military life, Councillor at war to the most honourable

For it is customary with new men, especially those that are bashful, not to bring their offspring however excellent to the light, until

sure greater than music. To music you give the chief place after war, in which none surpass you. Therefore let my child go forth with you for its patron. I

for Peace; Pe

ocund Peace t

obedient

Dee