Oh, I know I know. I have been so neglectful of late. There are, of course, a thousand excuses but I shall spare you every one of them. Suffice to say that yesterday our choristers were 'read out' (a strange ecclesiastical term meaning that the choir is no longer required until September) and I therefore have a Sunday off. Imagine that! A Sunday without some darned 9.30 Eucharist, 11.30 Mattins and 3.30 Choral Evensong. Don't get me wrong. I love my work, at least some of the time. But one can have too much 'Cathedral' (especially the bloody clergy - don't they realise how well off they are? There are parishes out there, Mr Sub-Dean, if you don't like what's on offer here!).
But I digress. As usual. No. My purpose in writing today (for the first time in a while) is merely to inform you of the anniversary of one of my favourite composers, George Sainton Kaye Butterworth, MC, born on the this day in 1885. If you have a recording of any of his music, put it on the gramophone today. And as you listen, reflect for a moment on 'what might have been' had Butterworth lived to fulfill his undoubted potential.
He was killed by a sniper's bullet on August 5th 1916. RIP.
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16 comments:
Welcome back sir.
So long ago? He did some sterling work collecting Morris dances with Cecil Sharp, but what would life be like with out 'The Banks of Green Willow' or 'Loveliest of Trees'?
Good to see you back, young sir!
A great and brave young man was GSB. I love all his extant music - but most especially the Rhapsody on The Shropshire Lad - it epitomies England and the huge sacrifices made to keep Her free.
Yes, welcome back Mr CB1! I confess I don't know Butterworth's works, but I have sung some folk-song settings E. J. Moeran - was he in any way similar?
Missed you !
Enjoy your few Sundays off - and the few weeks of relaxation alongside - most well deserved.
And thank you for sharing your note of Mr Butterworth. I shall look forward to making acquaintance.
Hello!
Welcome back, stranger!
Sx
I too love George Butterworth's music - it encapsulates a time in England that was wiped out in the trenches. It's good to read your elegant writing once again. Keep posting Mr Can Bass 1.
Enjoy your free Sundays!
I've not heard of George Butterworth, I don't seem to have the music gene (though I love to hear it when I do). I will listen out for him. Enjoy your free Sundays.
I'm reporting back. Not only did I listen to "The Banks of Green Willow", I also managed "A Shropshire Lad" (the rhapsody in an old Decca recording with Adrian Boult) and 'Requiescat' which is both lovely and hardly known.
It is good to have you back.
Hallelulah!
I've just remembered this which has scans of all of Butterworth's folk song collecting.
Are you suffering from that malady known as blog depresssion perchance? (see recent posting of Kaz's with helpful booklet!).
I will look GSB out indeed, but please don't become a stranger to the blogosphere.
Get a camera and start taking a few photographs - you inhabit a fascinating world and could make far more of it I suggest!
Well glad to read this...and many happy returns to Mr Butterworth. Damn sniper.
Are you suffering from such an acute case of happiness, you have no reason to blog any more perchance, Cantoris Bass?
Come on. You can tell *us*.
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