Echoes of Old Kea: Extracts from the Musical Notebook of John Giddy, Gentleman
Mike O’Connor
” in December 2000 musicologist Bob Patten told me of the existence of an 18th century instrumental tune book in the Public 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.”
List of tunes:
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
Echoes of Old Kea is Currently out of print but available here as a free download courtesy of Lyngham House Music :Echoes of Old Key
Notes
Mike O’Connor, Echoes of Old Kea (Wadebridge Lyngham House Music, 2001)
Lyngham House, St Ervan,Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 7RT
Kresen Kernow Shelf Number: 780.14237