A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Dering, Richard
DERING, Richard, Mus. Bac., a member of the ancient Kentish family of that name, was educated in Italy. He returned to England with a great reputation as a musician, and for some time practised his profession in London. In 1610 he took the degree of Bachelor of Music at Oxford. Being strongly importuned thereto he became organist to the convent of English nuns at Brussels [App. p.612 "1617"]. Upon the marriage of Charles I, in 1625, Dering was appointed organist to the queen, Henrietta Maria, which office he continued to hold until she was compelled to leave England. He died in the Romish communion about the year 1658 [App. p.612 "early in 1630"]. Bering's published works are wholly of a sacred kind. They consist of 'Cantiones Sacræ quinque vocum cum basso continuo ad Organum,' Antwerp, 1597; 'Cantica Sacra ad Melodium Madrigalium elaborata senis Vocibus,' Antwerp, 1618; 'Cantica Sacra ad Duos & Tres Voces, composita cum Basso-continuo ad Organum,' London, 1662. On the title-page of this work, which is dedicated to the Queen Dowager, Henrietta Maria, Dering is styled 'Regiæ Majestatis quondam Organista.' In 1674 Playford published a second set of Cantica Sacra by various composers, in which are eight motets attributed to Dering, but which Playford, in his preface, candidly admits were 'by some believed not to be his.' In the library of the Sacred Harmonic Society are preserved in manuscript imperfect sets of parts of the following compositions by Dering: anthem, 'Unto Thee, O Lord'; madrigal, "The Country Cry'; some motets, and several fancies for viols. [App. p.612 "his earliest production is probably the first instance of the use of figured bass."]
[ W. H. H. ]