A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Holborne, Anthony and William

HOLBORNE, Antony and William. There was published in 1597 a work bearing the title of 'The Cittharn Schoole, by Antony Holborne, Gentleman, and seruant to her most excellent Maiestie. Hereunto are added sixe short Aers Neapolitan like to three voyces, without the Instrument: done by his brother, William Holborne.' It is dedicated to Thomas, Lord Burgh, Baron Gainsburghe. In the Preface the author Bays he was induced to publish these early works, in consequence of some stranger having put forth corrupt copies of them. 'The Cittharn Schoole' contains 32 pieces (preludes, pavans, galliards, popular song tunes, etc.) for the cittharn alone, in tableture; 23 others for the cittharn with an accompaniment, in ordinary notation, for bass viol; and 2 more for the cittharn, with accompaniments for treble, tenor and bass viola. The 6 'Aers' by William Holborne are stated to be 'the first fruites of Composition' done by him. The second of them speaks of 'Bonny Boots' as dead, agreeing in that respect with one of Morley's 'Canzonets, or, Little Short Aers to five and sixe voices,' published in the same year. 'The Cittharn Schoole' was unnoticed prior to 1847, when Dr. Rimbault partially described it in his 'Bibliotheca Madrigaliana,' from a copy, presumably unique, then in his possession, but since 1857 in the library of the Sacred Harmonic Society. Commendatory Verses by Antony Holborne are prefixed to Farnaby's Canzonets, 1598; and Robert Dowland's 'Musicall Bauqvet,' 1610, contains 'My heavy sprite,' a duet with lute accompaniment by him.

[ W. H. H. ]