King Henry VIII -- Two Compositions for Recorders 1540

Two compositions for recorders by Henry VIII, King of England 1509-1547-- 'If Love Now Reynyd [Reigned]' and an untitled work-- played by the Krainis Recorder Consort on a Kapp long-playing disc, KCL9049, issued in 1960.
As far as his association with music is concerned, Henry the Eighth is probably best known these days for graciously lending his name to a song celebrating serial marriage, made a hit by Herman's Hermits. But, because 2009 marks the 500th Anniversary of Henry's accession to the throne, it seems appropriate to consider a more direct contribution.
In the album liner notes, Bernard Krainis, recorder soloist of the New York Pro Musica, which he co-founded, and director of the Consort performing here, says--
"It is perhaps paradoxical that two such lovely works should come from the pen of a monarch whom history depicts as bloodthirsty, callous and self-indulgent. Henry, however, was a typical Renaissance Humanist, whose wide ranging interests included a passionate devotion to music. At his death, he owned 76 recorders-- just a small part of his princely collection of all the important instruments of his day."
The source for this music is a manuscript at the British Museum. The portrait of Henry, in 1540, is by Hans Holbein the Younger.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• recorders
• Renaissance
• kings
• England
• 1509

[OutOfThereDaisy]

Im a 14 year old that loves this music/& i have to say that this is one of my fave's!

[chaosfive55]

Certainly a complex man, who could compose such moving music and order executions with cold-blooded ease!

[fresca9990211]

@OutOfThereDaisy OMG YOU`RE 14 HOLY FUCK I SHOULD GIVE YOU A FUCKING MEDAL FOR THAT!!!!!! :O

[LaLaLaSmiles]

@OutOfThereDaisy 11- beat that!

[tigranvartanovitch]

@sauroid1 He could write poetry, too. He was also very well educated. He could communicate with Erasmus and knew several languages, including French and Spanish. Yes, a fascinating character.

[sauroid1]

I think Henry VIII was about 6 feet and when young was very robust. He excelled at pretty much all of the physical sports and had a great singing voice also. When young he was considered to have been handsome, and as we all know he was a very randy fellow. He was what is consider now as having been a real he-man, but also one who loved the arts. He degenerated into an ogre who was quick to anger, held a grudges, was capricious, and down right mean at times. What a complex and fascinating man.

[LaraRayzel]

Partitures??



[hummingfrog]

@buddmar I saw what was listed as the armor of Henry VIII in the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. The unavoidable thought was "Honey, does this armor make my butt look fat?"

[buddmar]

@TheJaredtheJaredlong He grew to be a very large man. After a sporting accident he could not get much exercise and he became very fat. They say his waist measurement was 50 inches. Recent research suggests he died due to complications of untreated Type 2 Diabetes.

[TheJaredtheJaredlong]

Was Henry VIII a large man, or merely a regular sized man with large clothes?



[Luigi32826]

@redsilkcut1 ye

[redsilkcut1]

yeah he had more balls than brains.