298:
During the mid 1950s, Michael, John
Beckett and the recorder player John Sothcott played together and discussed medieval and early Renaissance music in various Hampstead coffee bars. Michael was determined to inject more life and vigour into their performances, in contrast to the accepted style of
234:, where he shared a pension with John ffrench. He returned to Dublin in September 1952 with Werner Schürmann, a sculptor and singer whom he had met in Munich. In 1953, Michael accompanied the tenor John Bilton on lute for four twenty-minute radio programmes, devised and presented by
286:, famous for its musical fountain. When not operating the fountain, Michael spent his time transcribing old music from a variety of sources found in libraries and museums in London. When in Dublin, he had studied important manuscripts in Marsh's Library and
345:
In the early 1970s, tension began to grow between Morrow (who was disorganised by nature) and
Beckett, and soon a rift began to appear in the relationship. By the end of 1973, John left Musica Reservata, though he never lost his admiration for Michael.
169:, Michael continued his studies at the National College of Art. The family then moved to Belfast, where he attended the Belfast College of Art. After about six months he returned to the National College of Art in Dublin, where one of his classmates was
706:
BBC Written
Archives Centre, Caversham, Reading, UK: Artists: Musica Reservata file I 1958–1962; Musica Reservata artists file II 1963–1967; RCONT12 Musica Reservata artists file II 1968–1972; RCONT31/86/1 Musica Reservata Orchestra.
299:
the period. This decision was based on his observations when listening to
European and non-European folk music, in which medieval traditions of singing and playing had been preserved. Michael, the two Johns and the counter-tenor
290:, especially ones containing lute music. He now became interested in music of the thirteenth century and onwards, which meant that he had to teach himself various systems of notation to transcribe pieces into modern notation.
362:, where he made an impromptu speech in praise of his friend. In July 1995, a 'Colloquium on Early Music in Memory of Michael Morrow' was held in Heinz and Ruth Liebrecht's house in Hampstead. The theme was
314:
family that had moved to
England in 1938. Hedy lived in Hampstead, and she and Michael had met through a mutual friend. After they had married, they shared a flat with John Beckett and his wife Vera in
204:
in the West of
Ireland. As Michael had developed an interest in ornithology and falconry, he spent time at Castleffrench, where he painted, played music and hawked.
338:, which took place on 2 July 1967. The group shot to fame after this and thereafter it was frequently engaged for concerts and recordings; see the separate entry
178:
766:
656:, pp. 244–5; Letter from John Beckett to Heinz Liebreht, 21 November 1973, KCLCA K/PP93, Box 3, Folder 2; assorted documents, Box 3, Folder 2 and Box 13.
146:
Norman
Michael MacNamara Morrow was born on 2 October 1929, in London, to his Irish parents Larry and Léonie Morrow. His formal education began in
186:
728:(Vol. 6, No. 2, April 1978, pp. 233–246); Michael Morrow obituary (Vol. 22, No. 3, August 1994, pp. 537–9). Available on JSTOR.
712:
British
Library Sound Archive, Saint Pancras, London: records (LPs, CDs) and BBC radio programmes of music performed by Musica Reservata.
162:
130:
in London during the late 1950s. He directed the group, which became famous for its ground-breaking and vigorous approach to performing
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772:
200:
Michael also befriended John ffrench, whose work was exhibited with
Beatrice and Michael's. John lived at Castleffrench, near
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339:
226:
Having won the Henry
Higgins Travelling Scholarship while studying in the National College of Art, Michael spent a year in
127:
744:
King's College London, College Archives: Morrow, Michael (1929–94) and Musica Reservata, GB 0100 KCLCA K/PP93 (13 boxes).
405:. (The book uses material taken from the author's interview with Morrow's sister Brigid Ferguson in Dubin, on 3 May 2009).
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As there was little or no work for Michael in Dublin, he finally left for England at the end of 1953, and settled down in
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194:
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215:, overlooking Dublin bay. At this point, in 1950, Michael met the young musician and harpsichord player
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773:"Travel in Space, Travel in Time: Michael Morrow's Approach to Performing Medieval Music in the 1960s"
359:
803:
417:, pp. 58 (Brigid Ferguson, 3 May 2009) and 75 (Reginald Gray, 22, 24 November 2010 and 6 May 2011).
632:, pp. 176–9, 510; programme notes for Musica Reservata concert, 2 July 1967, KCLCA K/PP93, Box 7.
287:
282:
At some time during this period, Michael and John Beckett worked in Forte's Monaco restaurant in
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190:
358:
Michael Morrow died on 20 April 1994 from Hepatitis C. John Beckett attended his funeral at
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813:
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331:
257:
and Carolyn Swift. It was hoped that the tiny theatre would stage the first performance of
752:
150:, when he was sent to St Andrew's school in Clyde Road. However, as Michael suffered from
8:
208:
166:
114:(2 October 1929 – 20 April 1994) was an Irish artist, ornithologist, musician and
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398:
283:
263:
135:
193:, who was also a friend of Michael's. Michael taught Reginald and Celia to play the
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Balkan voices and medieval music in the work of Michael Morrow and Musica Reservata
375:
303:
often played and rehearsed either in Michael's flat or in a converted chapel at 17
300:
326:, Hampstead on 30 January 1960. Many more concerts followed, including one in the
223:. This chance meeting would, in time, alter the course of both young men's lives.
644:, p. 191 (Seán O'Leary, 24 and 25 October 2007; Bernard Thomas, 10 January 2012).
620:, pp. 145–6, 509; printed concert programme, 26 June 1963, owned by Seán O'Leary.
330:
on 26 June 1963, and most importantly, the so-called 'début' concert held in the
235:
216:
211:. After a couple of years the family left and moved to a house on Strand Road at
119:
267:, but this was not to be; it was finally performed in the Pike in October 1955.
347:
258:
170:
131:
580:, pp. 106–7 (Seán O'Leary, Reading, 24 October 2007; Hedy Morrow,14 May 2008).
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Towards the end of 1959, Michael married Hedy Pelc. She came from an Austrian
161:
Between 1946 and 1947, the family lived in London, where Michael attended the
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741:, Stanlie Sadie (ed.), p. 827. London: 1980, Macmillan, reprinted 1986.
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319:. Later they moved and finally settled in 9 Aberdare Gardens, Hampstead.
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564:, Early Music, Vol. 4, No. 4, October 1976, pp. 515–21; Michael Morrow:
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The first proper public concert given by Musica Reservata took place in
757:
335:
115:
608:, Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, 30 January 1960, KCLCA K/PP93, Box 7.
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Royal Academy of Music, London: Michael Morrow papers (uncatalogued).
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52:
16:
Irish artist, ornithologist, musician and musicologist (1929 - 1994)
231:
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Michael eventually rejoined his family, who now had moved back to
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then conducted the group until it was disbanded in the 1980s.
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Vox, Argo, Delysé, Philips, Decca, Vanguard, Boston Skyline
81:
527:, unidentified newspaper article in KCLCA, K/PP93, Box 12.
307:, Hampstead, which was owned by Heinz and Ruth Liebrecht.
181:. Beatrice later married the Irish writer and playwright,
775:. In Fugelso, Karl; Salih, Sarah; Davies, Joshua (eds.).
700:
713:
606:
A concert of mediaeval music given by Musica Reservata
568:, Early Music, Vol. 6, No. 2, April 1978, pp. 233–46.
751:
Medieval.org's online Musica Reservata discography.
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Michael Morrow: Musical Performance and Authenticity
249:. Later in the year he designed scenery for the new
366:. Lasting one day, it consisted of talks given by
165:. When the family returned to Dublin and lived in
724:(Vol. 4, No. 4, October 1976, pp. 515–521);
795:
469:, 14, 21 and 28 July 4 and 11 August 1953, p. 4.
739:The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
550:John Beckett 1927–2007, The Recorder Magazine
397:, p. 57. (Dublin: 2016, The Lilliput Press.)
245:. These were broadcast in July and August on
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395:John S. Beckett – The Man and the Music
497:, pp. 90, 93 (Brigid Ferguson, 3 May 2009).
453:, pp. 76, 79 (Brigid Ferguson, 3 May 2009).
779:. Boydell & Brewer. pp. 89/113.
441:, pp. 57–8 (Brigid Ferguson, 3 May 2009).
684:supplied by Seán O'Leary, 22 July 2007.
523:Undated biog in KCLCA, K/PP93, Box 10;
138:, until it was disbanded in the 1980s.
796:
668:, p. 358 (Seán O'Leary, 26 July 2007).
429:, p. 58 (Brigid Ferguson, 3 May 2009).
701:Further reading and available sources
374:, Tess Knighton, Warwick Edwards and
279:, where John Beckett was now living.
592:, p. 124 (Hedy Morrow, 14 May 2008).
566:Musical Performance and Authenticity
483:An Irishman's Diary, The Irish Times
467:Broadcasting Programmes, Irish Times
185:. A little later, Beatrice's sister
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525:Morrow and yesterday's music today
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824:Historically informed performance
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158:, he had to be educated at home.
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243:'s Achievement as a Song Writer
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682:New Thoughts about Old Music
364:New Thoughts about Old Music
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777:Medievalism & Modernity
221:National Library of Ireland
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771:Edward Breen (June 2016).
552:, Vol 27, 2007, pp. 124–5.
360:Golders Green Crematorium
253:Club, Dublin, founded by
163:Hammersmith School of Art
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73:Musician, music director
834:Medieval musical groups
485:, 29 August 1953, p. 7.
122:, founded the British
761:Semibrevity website:
179:Cecil ffrench-Salkeld
332:Queen Elizabeth Hall
506:Desmond MacNamara,
118:who, together with
209:Fitzwilliam Square
173:, daughter of the
167:Fitzwilliam Square
829:Renaissance music
765:by Edward Breen.
393:Gannon, Charles:
284:Piccadilly Circus
264:Waiting for Godot
189:dated the artist
152:Christmas disease
136:Renaissance music
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230:, Paris and
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116:musicologist
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90:Years active
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819:Early music
814:1994 deaths
809:1929 births
718:Early Music
539:, pp. 94–5.
305:Holly Mount
238:, entitled
202:Ballinasloe
175:avant-garde
156:haemophilia
124:early music
64:Early music
798:Categories
382:References
336:South Bank
142:Beginnings
134:and early
84:, recorder
481:, p. 88;
465:, p. 86;
334:, on the
277:Hampstead
53:Hampstead
261:'s play
232:Florence
195:recorder
132:Medieval
317:Frognal
219:in the
213:Merrion
177:artist
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312:Jewish
228:Munich
148:Dublin
126:group
99:Labels
60:Genres
39:Origin
354:Death
187:Celia
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47:Died
31:Born
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