A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Parthenia

by William H. Husk

PARTHENIA. The first music for the virginals published in England. The title is 'Parthenia or The Maydenhead of the first musicke that euer was printed for the Virginalls Composed By three famous Masters William Byrde, Dr. John Bull and Orlando Gibbons Gentilmen of his Ma^ties most Illustrious Chappell. Ingrauen by William Hole.' The work consists of the following 21 pieces, all upon 6-line staves, and engraved upon copper plates, being the first musical work so produced.

W. Byrde.

Preludium.
Pavana; Sir W. Petre.
Galiardo.
Preludium.Gallardo; Mrs. Mary Brownlo.
Pavana; The Earl of Salisbury.
Galiardo.
Galiardo, 2 do.; Mrs. Mary Brownlo.

Dr. Bull.

Preludium.
Pavano; Sir Thos. Wake.
Galiardo; Sir Thos. Wake.
Pavana.
Galiardo.
Galiardo.
Galiardo.

O. Gibbons.

Galiardo.
Fantazia of four parts.
The Lord of Salisbury, his Pavin.
Galiardo.
The Queen's command.
Preludium.

It first appeared in 1611. On the title is a three-quarter-length representation of a lady playing upon the virginals. Commendatory verses by Hugh Holland and George Chapman are prefixed. It was reprinted in 1613 with a dedication to the Elector Palatine and Princess Elizabeth. Other impressions appeared in 1635, 1650 and 1659, the latter with a letterpress title bearing the imprint of John Playford. All these impressions were from the same plates. The work was reprinted by the Musical Antiquarian Society in 1847, under the editorship of Dr. Rimbault, with facsimiles of the title-page and a page of the music.

[ W. H. H. ]