Discussions > Tunes
My Daughter's Favourite
(1/1)
Bob Ellis:
I recently discovered a newspaper article about a Penny Reading at Reeth in Swaledale in 1867 at which the local quadrille band played four tunes. It is rare for newspaper reports to name the tunes played, but in this case they did: the Downfall of Paris, a waltz called Happy Dreams, the Cuckoo Solo and a schottische called My Daughter's Favourite. I have located the music for the first three, but have drawn a blank with My Daughter's Favourite. It could be a composition by one of the band that didn't survive, but it might be a more widely known tune. Has anybody come across it?
Matthew B:
Well the title's not an exact match, but it's close, and the time period seems to be about right:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPAVZ7-dk84
It seems the composer was pretty active at around the time your source indicates:
http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n82208093/
So that's a firm "maybe . . . "?
Rob Lands:
When asked to name the tune the fiddler replied "Ah! that's my daughters favourite................"
Bob Ellis:
Under normal circumstances I would agree with you, Rob, but this name appeared in the printed programme for a Penny Reading, so I think it was the tune's official title. That is not to say that one of the musicians in the band didn't compose it and dedicate it to his daughter. However, having listened to the piece and knowing that there was a brass band in Reeth at that time as well as the quadrille band, I am inclined to think that Matthew is most likely to be correct and that the tune was My Daughter's Schottische, composed by William Henry Montgomery. It sounds the sort of tune that would have fitted in well alongside the other tunes and songs on the programme that night. Thank you, Matthew, for drawing it to my attention.
Matthew B:
Happy to help -- it's a nice tune!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
Go to full version