Frank Kidson

Vic Gammon recently suggested that Frank Kidson's contribution to the world of 'folk music' scholarship had been sadly neglected for most of this century and that, in particular, his entries in Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians give a fascinating glimpse of the man's encyclopædic knowledge and can also still contribute to our understanding of the field.  This is certainly true, though only a fairly small proportion of them are likely to be central to the concerns of most readers of MT.  (His Traditional Tunes (1891) is more likely to be of interest).

Accordingly, we are reproducing what we consider to be the more appropriate Grove entries here, since the original five volumes have been long unavailable except through specialist libraries - and few readers might have access to the fork-lift truck needed to take them home!  Thus, those items considered appropriate are Blue/bold/underlined and link to the Grove entries, the remainder are in normal text.  I have given the complete listing for those who do wish to persue any area further.

I have taken the liberty of modernising some of the more archaic punctuation and introducing elements of MT house-style in the presentation.  More controversially, I have decided to omit some of the examples of music staff-notation included in the originals.  This is for two reasons: firstly, such examples do not display at all clearly on-screen without a great deal of time-consuming work; and secondly, few are of what might be termed traditional music.  A further consideration is that not all our readers will understand staff-notation - so I have added MIDI sound clips to all the staff-notation examples.

We begin with an introduction to the man and his work by John Francmanis, whose 1997 PhD thesis on Frank Kidson called The Musical Sherlock Holmes covers pretty well everything that the ordinary reader might need to know.

Rod Stradling - 18.5.99

Introduction

Kidson had been born in Leeds in 1855 into modest circumstances, but a small inheritance provided an opportunity to make a living from the arts rather than industry or commerce.  Having achieved some success as a landscape artist, Kidson's turn from brush to pen in the early 1880s was accompanied by a growing fascination for old popular tunes.  He quickly built up his own music collection, deriving an encyclopaedic knowledge from it, and resorted to the oral tradition when it became apparent that not all old tunes were accessible through printed sources.

Through his facility for tracing tunes back in time from volume to volume - antiquarian associates called him 'the musical Sherlock Holmes' - Kidson gained a unique appreciation of the history of printed music.  His British Music Publishers, a by-product of this research, appeared in 1900.  Generally considered to be his most important literary work, it would not be superseded until 1954.  Kidson nevertheless devoted the rest of his life to preparing a second edition - mooted at the time the first appeared - which, because of the difficulties inherent in managing the volume of material revealed by his research, coupled with a refusal to put his name to anything he knew to be factually incorrect, would never be published.

Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians played an important part in the English musical renaissance by establishing that England had once been a musical nation: and, by implication, could be so again.  Kidson's expertise in piecing together the musical past received recognition through Fuller Maitland's invitation to contribute to the new edition (Volume 1 pubished in 1904).  Drawing on his continuing research into 'matters of British song and musical antiquity', this would eventually amount - reported the Musical Herald in August 1913 (p.  228) - to 'no less than 365 greater or lesser contributions from 'F.K.''.

It is perhaps doubtful whether Kidson would have concerned himself much more with the oral tradition had the 'folk-song' issue not risen to prominence.  Ever the empiricist, he put his trust in the authority of printed sources, whereas the newcomer Cecil Sharp gave primacy to oral: a seemingly small point, but one with significant implications in the light of theories derived from Romantic ideologies.  Kidson dismissed Sharp's English Folk-Song: Some Conclusions (1907) as 'conjectures', but his own approach became increasingly marginalised as Sharp's hold over the 'folk' movement was consolidated.  Kidson died in 1926, 'obscured where once he had been considered foremost in authority' (Journal of the EFDSS, 1948, p.  135).

Sharpian orthodoxy has become increasingly subject to question in recent years.  Thorough re-evaluation of the achievements of antiquarians such as Kidson, Broadwood and Annie Gilchrist is similarly overdue.  They still have much to tell us.

John Francmanis - 11.2.99

Frank Kidson's contributions to ...

... ed. J A Fuller Maitland (London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd., 1910)

Volume I, A to E [first edition 1904]

Entry Vol:Page Notes Barley, William I:187   Bickham, George (junior) I:325   Birchall, Robert I:328 [annotations] Bland, John I:336-7   Bland & Weller I:337   Branle (Fr.)[3] I:392-3   Bremner, Robert I:395-6   Broderip & Wilkinson I:406   Button & Whitaker I:427   Cahusac, Thomas I:444-5   Ça Ira I:445   Campbells are Coming I:450-1   Carey, Henry I:463-4 [annotations] Carr, John I:474   Catch [part] I:481-2   Chapels Royal I:503-4 [annotations] Chappell & Co. I:504 [annotations] Clementi & Co. I:557-8

Entry Vol:Page Notes Cluer, John I:559-60   Cocks & Co., Robert I:561 [annotations] Cooper, Richard I:597-8   Corri, Domenico I:609-10 [information] Corri & Co. I:610   Country Dance I:624-5   Cramer & Co. I:633 [additions] Cross, Thomas I:639-40   Cullen, John I:645   Dale, Joseph I:653   Davidson, G.H. I:669   Davis, Thomas I:672   Don Quixote I:713-4   D'Urfey, Thomas I:749 [additions] Engraving, Music I:782-3 [also addenda] Enoch & Sons I:783-4   Ewer & Co. I:797

Volume II, F to L [first edition 1906]

Entry Vol:Page Notes Folk-Song Society II:70   Fougt, Henry II:91   Galoubet II:139   Gaschet (or Gachet), John II:146   Gawler, William II:151   Gittern II:173   Glen [part] II:179   God Save the King [part] II:190-1   Godbid, William II:192   Goulding & Co. II:208   Gow II:211-2   Gow, Neil II:211   Gow, Nathaniel II:211-2   Grafton, Richard II:214   Grassineau, James II:217 [additions] Guitar [part] II:261   Gunn, Barnabas II:262   Haddock family II:269-70   Hail Columbia II:271-2   Hare, John & Joseph [&c] II:295-6   Harper, Thomas II:328   Harrison, J. II:333-4   Hart, Andro II:334   Heptinstall, John II:383   Hill, Joseph II:400   Hime family II:405-6   Hodsoll, William II:414   Holden, Smollet II:419   Hole, William II:419   Home, Sweet Home II:424-5   Hornpipe II:434-5   Hudgebut, John II:439   Hunt, Richard II:445-6   Hurdy Gurdy [part] II:447   Husk, William II:448   Hydaspes II:450

Entry Vol:Page Notes Irish Music [bibliography] II:510-1   Jackson II:520   Janiewicz, Felix II:525 [additions] John Brown'S Body II:536-7   Johnson, James I:537-8   Johnson, John II:538   Johnson, Samuel II:539   Johnston, John II:539-40   Jones, Edward II:544   Jones, Richard II:544   Jorram II:545   Judgment of Paris, The II:550   Keel Row, The II:560-1   Keller, Godfrey II:562   Kelly, Thomas A.E. II:564   Knapp, William II:588 [information] Knapton, Philip II:588 [annotations] Knott, John II:591   Lament II:625   Last Rose Of Summer [part] II:649   Lates, John James II:649   Lavenu, Lewis & Elizabeth II:654   Lee, George Alexander II:662-3 [additions] Life Let Us Cherish [part] II:729   Light, Edward II:729   Lilliburlero II:732 [annotated] Linley, Francis II:737-8 [adds & corrects] Linley, George II:738   Lintern, J. & W. II:739   Lochaber No More II:759-60   Loder, Edward James [etc] II:762-3   Longman & Broderip II:769   Love In A Village II:774   Love's Triumph [part] II:774   Luinig, or Luineag II:778-9

Volume III, M to P [first edition 1907]

Entry Vol:Page Notes McDonald, Malcolm III:4   McDonald, Peter III:4   McGibbon, William III:8   McGlashan, Alexander III:8   MacKay, Angus III:9   Mackintosh, Robert III:11   Mackintosh, Abraham III:11   Macklean, Charles III:11   McLeod, Peter III:11   Mahoon, Joseph III:28   Malbrough, or Malbrook III:31-2 [Additions] Malcolm, Alexander III:32   Mancini, Francesco III:39   Marimba III:57   Marshall, William III:64   Matteis, Nicola III:91-2 [Additions] Meares, Richard III:98   Medecin Malgre Lui [part] III:99   Metzler III:190 [Additions]   Midas III:200   Millico, Guiseppe III:209-10 [Annotated] Minuet [part] III:215   Monferrina III:242-3   Monro[e], George III:249   Montgomery, Hugh III:254   Monzani, Theobald III:255   Moore, Thomas III:256-8 [additions] Moorehead, John III:258 [additions] Morris, or Morrice, Dance III:266-8

Entry Vol:Page Notes Mountain, Henry III:278   Mountain, Joseph III:278-9   Munro, Alexander III:319   Music, Printing III:325-8 [annotations] Napier, William III:350   Neale, John And William III:358   Negro Music of the US [part] III:361-62   Nelson, Sydney III:362   Noël [part] III:386-7   Oboe III:420-1 [annotation] Orpheus Britannicus III:568-9   Orpheus Caledonius III:569   Oswald, James III:572-3   Padlock, The III:588   Partant pour la Syrie III:637-8 [annotation] Paterson & Sons III:652   Pearson, William III:662   Peck, James III:663   Petrie, George III:694   Phillips, John & Sarah III:710-11   Playford, John III:771-3   Plectrum III:773   Pleyel [part] III:774   Port III:794   Powell, Samuel III:802   Power, James [& family] III:802-3   Preston & Son III:812   Purday III:858-9   Purdie, Robert III:859

Volume IV, Q to S [first edition 1908]

Entry Vol:Page Notes Raban, Edward IV:11   Rag Time IV:16   Ramondon, Lewis IV:22-3   Randall, P. IV:23   Randall, William IV:23   Randles, Elizabeth IV:24   Rea, William IV:30 [annotated] Reinagle, Joseph IV:57   Rhames IV:82   Ribible IV:89   Richard Coeur de Lion IV:91 [addition] Ridell, John IV:94   Ridell, Robert IV:94-5   Rinaldo IV:105 [annotated] Rizzio, David IV:110-1   Roast Beef of Old England IV:111   Roberts, Henry IV:111-2   Roberts, John IV:112   Robin Hood IV:112   Roger, Estienne IV:119   Rogues' March, The IV:121   Rolfe & Co. IV:123   Roll IV:123   Rolli, Paolo Antonio IV:124   Root, George IV:138-9   Rosamond IV:142   Rosina IV:148   Rule Britannia [part] IV:193   Rutherford, David IV:196   Sadler's Wells IV:203   St. Cecilia's Hall IV:205   Sanderson [part] IV:221   San Martini, or Sammartini IV:221

Entry Vol:Page Notes Schetky, Johann G.C. IV:261   Schickhard, Johann C. IV:261   Scordatura [part] IV:387   Scott, Lady John Douglas IV:391   Scottish Music [part] IV:391-402 [annotations] Sellinger's Round IV:409   Seraglio, The IV:417   Seres, William IV:419   Shepherd, William IV:441   Shirreffs, Andrew IV:444   Short, Peter IV:444   Shrubsole, William IV:445   Shuttleworth, Obadiah IV:446 [annotated] Sicilian Mariner's Hymn IV:449   Simpson, John IV:456-7   Sir Roger de Coverly [part] IV:471   Smart, George IV:484   Smart, Thomas IV:485   Snares IV:491   Snodham, Thomas IV:491   Specimens, Dr. Crotch's IV:630-1   Stabilini, Girolamo IV:664   Stansfield, Ely IV:674   Star Spangled Banner, The IV:674-5   Stenhouse, William IV:692   Stewart, Neil IV:695   Sticcado-Pastrole IV:696   Stock and Horn IV:698   Straight & Skillern IV:713   Straloch MS. IV:713   Street, Josiah IV:720   Sunderland, Mrs. IV:754-5 [additions]

Volume V, T to Z [first edition 1910]

Entry Vol:Page Notes Tabor V:8   Tagliato V:9   Tans'ur, William V:18-9   Tarantella [part] V:21   Tenducci, Giusto F. V:70-1 [additions] Thackray, Thomas V:77-8   Thomas and Sally V:85   Thompson V:89   Thompson, Robert V:89   Thomson, George V:89-91 [additions] Thomson, William V:91-2   Thomyris, Queen of Scythia V:92   Thorn, The V:92   Thorowgood, Henry V:96   Tom Bowling V:116   Tromba Marina [part] V:162   Tromba Spezzata V:162   Trydell, The Rev. John V:172   Tyrolienne V:192-3   Unger, Johann, Friedrich V:197   Urbani, Pietro V:202   Valentine, John V:209   Vamp, to V:215   Vanbrughe, George V:216   Vautrollier, Thomas V:236   Vauxhall Gardens [part] V:237-8   Vento, Matthias V:245   Vernon, Joseph V:262 [revised] Vicar of Bray, The V:269-70   Vincent, Thomas V:277   Viner, William Letton V:278   Viner V:278-9   Vogler, John & Gerard V:371   Wait, or Wayte V:421

Entry Vol:Page Notes Walker, George V:424   Walsh, John V:428-9   Walsh, John, junior V:429   Walshingham V:429   Walmsley [part] V:434   Warren, Thomas V:437   Watlen, John V:438   Watts, John V:439   Waylett, Harriett V:439   Waylett, Henry V:439   Weichsell, Mrs. V:487   Welcker V:491   Welsh Music V:492-501   Wheatstone V:512   Whichello, Abiell V:512   Whistle V:512-3   White, John V:514   Whyte, William V:518   Williams, Maria Jane V:527   Williamson, T.G. V:528   Willis, Isaac V:529   Windet, John V:545   Wood, John Muir V:561   Woodcock, Robert V:561-2   Worgan, James V:563   Wright, Daniel V:569   Wright, Thomas V:569-70   Wright & Co. V:570   Wrighten, Mrs. V:570   Wynne, John V:573   Yigdal V:577   Youll, Henry V:578   Young V:578-9   Young, John V:579   Young, William V:579

Appendix

Entry Vol:Page Notes Aird, James V:605   Arethusa, The V:606   Artaxerxes V:606-7   Astor & Co. V:607   Auld Lang Syne V:607-10   Bay of Biscay, The V:612   Beggar's Opera, The V:612 [addition] Black Ey'd Susan V:616   Blue Beard V:616   Blue Bell of Scotland, The V:616-7   Bonny Dundee V:618   Bow, Musical V:618   British Grenadiers, The V:620   Broadwood V:620 [addition] Caller Herring V:621   Chanty, or Shanty V:623-4   Charke, Richard V:624   Cold and Raw V:626   Comin' Through the Rye V:626-7   Comus V:627-8   Death of Nelson, The V:629   Down Among the Dead Men V:632   Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes V:632-3   Dubourg, Matthew V:633   Dulce Domum V:633   Dump V:634   Farewell Manchester V:638-9   Folk-Song Society V:640 [addition] Girl I Left Behind Me, The V:642

Entry Vol:Page Notes Granom, L.C.A. V:643 [addition] Heart Of Oak V:644-5   Humphries, John V:646   Humphries, J.S. V:646   Hunnis, William V:646   Hymns Ancient and Modern V:647 [addition] Joan's Placket is Torn V:647-8   John Anderson, My Jo V:648   John Peel V:648-9   Jones, Richard V:649 [addition] Lass of Richmond Hill, The V:650   Leoni V:650   Libraries, Musical V:651 [addition] Manx Music V:652-3   Miller of the Dee, The V:653   Nancy Dawson V:654   Over the Water to Charlie V:656-7   Saint Patrick's Day V:663 [addition] Sally in Our Alley V:663   Scots Wha Hae V:664-6   Shan Van Voght, The V:666   Vincent, Thomas V:669 [addition] Walsh, John, Senior V:670 [addition] Weideman, Charles V:670   When the King Shall Enjoy His Own Again V:670   Within a Mile of Edinburgh Town V:670   Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonny Doon V:671-2

Article MT038

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