Richard Edwards

( Originally Published 1923 )

Born about 1523; died 1566. Note that this composer is much earlier than the others here mentioned. He is included because his choral piece In going to my naked (modernized `lonely') bed is likely to be heard at choral concerts and is gramophonically performable. Edwards was educated at Christ Church, Oxford. He became Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal. At Candlemas, 1565, he produced at Lincoln's Inn a play performed by his choir-boys, and next year a play of his was acted before Queen Elizabeth in Christ Church Hall, Oxford, which pleased the Queen, who sent for him and `gave him promise of reward'. But he died a week or two later.

Edwards' work precedes that of the madrigal school proper and the beautiful part-song mentioned above and below will be found to be grave and sober, and in style indistinguishable from a piece of church music.'

FURTHER READING. Short article in Grove's Dictionary ; references in Fellowes' English Madrigal Composers in Davey and in Walker.

PRINTED MUSIC. The part-song mentioned as published by Novello costs 2d. if `lonely' and 4d. if `naked' ; it is also published by Stainer & Bell at 4d., and this is the edition from which the Record has been made.