Ferdinando Richardson

Ferdinando Richardson (also known as Sir Ferdinando Heyborne)[1] (c. 1558–1618) was an English composer, musician, and courtier.

Ferdinando Heyborne monument (right), at All Hallows Church, Tottenham

He was a pupil of Thomas Tallis,[2] and various works for the keyboard by him survive in the manuscript collection known as the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. He wrote a letter to Sir Michael Hicks enclosing some exercises for the virginal for Hick's daughter in 1611. Her teacher was to copy the music and send back the original. He signed this letter "Fer: Heyborn."[3]

As a courtier, Richardson held the post of Groom of the Privy Chamber under both Elizabeth I of England and James I of England. The epitaph on his family tomb, in All Hallows' Church, Tottenham, reads: "Here also resteth in peace the body of Sir Ferdinando Heyborne, Knight, justice of the peace and coram in the county of Middlesex. He waited at the feet of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory and our soveraign Lord King James in their privy chamber. He was a careful magistrate without respect of persons and a true friend to the cause of the poor."

A Complete Works for Harpsichord was recorded in 2013 by American keyboardist Glen Wilson for the Naxos label, receiving a 2014 Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.[4]

Notes
  1. Also known under the surname Heyborne (Heybourne, Heaburn). From family details it appears that Richardson was the name used by his mother Margaret.
  2. HOASM: Ferdinando Richardson (Heybourne)
  3. Henry Ellis, Original Letters Illustrative of English History, 2nd series vol. 3 (London, 1827), pp. 223-4.
  4. https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572997 Ferdinando Richardson: Complete Works for Harpsichord. Glen Wilson, Harpsichord; Naxos 8.572997 (2014).

References
  • Richard Marlow, Sir Ferdinando Heyborne. alias Richardson, The Musical Times, cxv (1974)


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