Cornish folk music collections rely on numerous disparate sources – they give many insights but no overview of vernacular music of the time. The works of Davies Gilbert and William Sandys focus on seasonal songs and carols. However, in December 2000 researchers Bob and Jacqueline Patten told me of the existence of an 18th century instrumental tune book in the Cornwall Records Office, Truro. Inspection shows the book is undated, but is accompanied by a handwritten note, saying ‘I believe this little book to have been my grandfather’s, Mr. John Giddy’s, (signed) Davies Gilbert 1829.’ The book apparently belonged to Gilbert’s grandfather: one of the many John Giddys of Kea. This tiny, 64-page manuscript gives us a useful insight into social Cornish instrumental music of the time. In its way Giddy’s book offers us a repertoire parallel to that developed by O’Carolan (1670-1738) in Ireland some decades earlier. This volume reproduces Giddy’s collection. However, I have omitted fragments, items crossed out or duplicated, and the bass parts (for which no melody is given). I have followed the order of the tunes in John Giddy’s book. There is still much work to be done concerning John Giddy, his music and its origins. I hope that by publishing this book I will stimulate such research, and in the meantime make the music available.
Mike O’Connor
Download E Book: Echoes of Old Kea
Contents:
4 Introduction
7 Porth Kea Minuet in A
7 Trevean Spring Minuett in B flat
8 John Giddy’s Minuet Untitled in G
8 When youth and beauty can’t make way
9 Come to Good Untitled in D minor
9 Nansavallen A Minuett in D
10 The Bells of Old Kea Untitled in D minor
10 Cloe is false but still she’s charming
10 Calenick Untitled in B flat
11 Plum Fair A Rigadoon Air in G
11 Trelissick Untitled in A minor
12 The Cross and Keys Minuet in G
12 Woodbury Point Rigadoon in G
13 Malpas Crossing A Minuett in G
13 Minuett by Mr. Handel
14 King Harry March in ‘G’
14 Clawdy Phillips Minuett
15 Boscawen of Tregothnan March in D
15 Bow Fair, a hornpipe
16 Air by Mr. Hendall in A Minor
17 Round O Minuet in D
17 The Waters of Tresillian Minuet in G minor
18 Kenwyn Untitled Air in A minor
18 Minuet by John Browne
19 Lord Masiseley Favourite Jigg
19 The Carrick Concerto Untitled in D
20 When Delia ..
20 Carlyon Untitled march in D
20 Dumbarton’s Drums
21 Crossing the Truro River Untitled in ‘G’
21 March in Calo
22 The Falmouth Gig Untitled jig in D
22 Jenny and Jockey
23 Miss Anna Collins Untitled in D
23 Butter’d Pease
24 Trebel of Geminiani’s Minuett
24 Mr. Ravencorft’s Hornpipe
25 The Crock of Gold Minuet in F
25 Minuet de Monsieur Dupré
26 Uncle William’s Gout Untitled jig in G minor
26 Tanners’ Oak Untitled in D
27 Playing Place Minuet in D (in 2 parts)
28 A New Minuet in G
29 An Index to the Manuscript
Acknowledgements
John Giddy’s music is reproduced with the permission of the Davies Gilbert estate.
I am very grateful for the assistance of Bob and Jacqueline Patten, who first told me of the manuscript’s existence, and the staff of the Cornwall Record Office, Truro.
Thank you to you all.
Notes
First published by Lyngham House Music. For more information about Mike O’Connor and Lyngham House publications visit: www.lyngham.co.uk