Talk:David Munrow
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A Biography on David Munrow Terminated.
In 2006 an authorized biography was to be written by Richard Wood who ran the Early Music Shop. It was intended to be published on the 30th aniversary of his death. However, Mrs. Munrow became "hostile" about this matter, and it came to naught. Robert Searle also had plans to do a biography but has since decided to terminate it. Yet, he has been contributing some of his research to the David Munrow by Subscription website run by Mr. Griffith.
The following claim tends to lower the tone of the subject. Attempts were made to erase it but to no avail. It should be said Wikipedia saves previous changes of the Munrow entry, and all the others on different topics.
R.Searle.
A Disputed Claim.
Do we have sources for him being gay? David.Monniaux 12:59, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
REPLY: He wasn't gay, but bisexual, hence the comment about him being sexually confused - clearly he was a married man. This confusion and his manic energy manifested itself in some short term liaisons with both sexes. The source of this comes from many meetings and talks with former colleagues and friends. However, I do think we should concentrate on his musical legacy and leave questions over non-musical events to the saloon bar... Mellowman 19:54, 24 August 2006 (UTC)
Re: David Munrow being married / not gay. It is not my intention to suggest that David Munrow either was, or was not a married gay man, but I believe that for the benefit of a younger generation I should point out that for many men of his generation being openly gay was stigmatized and many gay men made a positive effort to conform to the social norms, including marriage. Such marriages were sometimes disastrous, ending either in divorce or suicide. --Lil Miss Picky 14:37, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
- Not just stigmatized. It was illegal for the first 25 years of his life and people could be sent to prison for male-male sex until 1967. Bluewave 15:55, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
From another reader: The reply here is entirely accurate, according to a performer who worked closely with him. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by MichaelWriter (talk • contribs) 20:50, 11 July 2006.
Reply: that is both original research and gossip. It's not Wikipediable. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.177.15.101 (talk • contribs) 13:32, 19 July 2006.
Yes, it appears that he was bisexual. I heard on good authority that he had a possible affair with a woman in Australia...He could also be a bit bawdy! However, this issue is not as important as his great contributions to the popularisation of early music. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 212.22.16.194 (talk • contribs) 08:02, 16 July 2006.
Over such a delicate and personal matter that some friends and living relatives obviously still feel very deeply about, I don't think you can reasonably expect a citation of sources for the assertions regarding his sexuality! I thought the Talk section was the most appropriate section to offer some insight into this most personal aspect of David Munrow's life. Mellowman 19:54, 24 August 2006 (UTC)
It has to be understood that any person in the limelight is open to public scrutiny. This is the price for fame unfortunately.Infact, this controversy only makes him more interesting rather than just another dull run of the mill individual. That is the point....and many creative people tend to be "deviant" in some manner, or other. It goes back to psychology. They tend to have too much positive and negative energy which can imbalance their personality. More we can understand such souls the more likely we are going to better help them lead a truly happy, and creative existence. Creativity should not carry too high a price.
So, it is felt that this so-called "controversy" should be seen in a wider, and more positive light. It is time to think differently about everything. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 195.188.183.89 (talk • contribs) 15:01, 17 July 2006.
Reply: Even if a source is found, to be included it should be both relevant and significant. Is his sexuality or his suicide relevant to his contributions as a musician? If so, find a source that makes that argument. Particularly with regard to his suicide, Wikipedia is not the place to perform highly speculative psychoanalysis (and on a deceased patient at that). In any case, more effort is needed here on the description of Munrow's musical achievement, and that should be a first concern. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.177.15.101 (talk • contribs) 13:32, 19 July 2006.
This also brings us to a completely different point. How original is Munrows interpretations of early music? It is clear that he drew much of his inspiration from Michael Morrows Musica Reservata. Likewise he copied a number of arrangements In a recent BBC broadcast on him there was doubt as to whether he would have become a composer and not just a musician. If I recall rightly James Bowman claimed that Munrow recognized his limitations. His claim to fame is essentially that of a populariser as stated in the Wiki article.
On a positive note, Munrow did do a large number of original arrangements notably the brilliantly colourful renderings of Susato, and Praetorius. Philip Pickett who was clearly inspired by these recordings did a longer version of them, and included his interpretations. Compared with much modern, and classical music their exuberances, and brilliance is quite "unparalled". However, some critics of Munrows interpretation regarded the above, along with other pieces as being "brash". Yet, there will always be killjoys...and ofcourse, the musically "dead". —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 195.188.183.89 (talk • contribs) 10:32, 20 July 2006.
Contents |
[edit] Please sign your contributions...
It's perfectly easy, just conclude with four tildes and the system puts in the information automatically. Wspencer11 16:25, 20 July 2006 (UTC)
[edit] The Possible Reasons for the Passing of David Munrow
The internet comes up with all sorts of claims which may not be always true . A few of these are concerned with his passing. However, we come to more solid ground with an article in a local newspaper which recorded at some length the official reason. It is based on the testimony of his wife Gillian Reid (ie. Munrow) who claimed that the death of his father, and then the passing of his father-in-law had a "devastating effect" on him. On the day of his suicide they were intending to go to Venice for a holiday. Yet, she found him hanging from the hayloft in the garage of their "new" home.
It is interesting to point out here that his book on early musical instruments is dedicated to his father, and father-in-law. This would suggest that Mrs. Munrow testimony was correct as to the "basic" cause of his demise (though it is not the real reason, and is best left unsaid).
- There is rarely just one reason, I'm sure. Another perspective: I know a lady who was part of the early music movement at the time (and still is) and worked with him. She has said that Munrow put a fanatical energy into his early music "circus" of concerts, recordings, radio, TV, etc, but that it was reaching a point where it felt like it was ending and that the party was over (to mix my metaphors). He had brought early music into the popular visibility; had mastered the recorder and related instruments; formed a musical team that was the best in its field, etc, and it perhaps seemed like there was nowhere else to take his ideas, other than to do more of the same. It's not unusual for people to feel a sense of anticlimax, and sometimes depression, after achieving something. Maybe that was a contributory factor. Just POV of course! Bluewave 14:11, 22 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Musica Reservata, and David Munrow.
Munrow drew most of his inspiration, and insight into early music from Musica Reservata headed by the Irishman Michael Morrow (who directed his group from a wheelchair). Indeed, this group had produced near the start of the seventies an album about different kinds of early musical instruments. However, due to his fame Munrow issued a similiar collection with far greater public success but without any recorded commentary (unlike his Medieval Sound in 1968). This appeared in 1976, and the two tv programmes mentioned in the Wikipedian entry helped to sell it...along with an accompanying book. In order to cash in a another tome by Jeremy Montagu appeared on the same subject. However, from an interview with Shirley Collins it appears that Munrow had some disagreement with Michael Morrow, and went his separate way. It is not clear why.
[edit] References
In the phrase "teaching English under the British Council Overseas Voluntary Scheme", "Overseas Voluntary Scheme" is a red link. Never having heard of an Overseas Voluntary Scheme run by the British Council I wondered if it should have been "Voluntary Service Overseas" and whilst searching for clues I came across this article on the Medieval Music & Arts Foundation website which starts:
David Munrow (August 12th 1942 - May 15th 1976) - A discography
Conception & research: Pierre-F. Roberge
For comments, additions and corrections pfr@videotron.ca
Last update: 01/07/2007
This is an "under construction" and for now a quite complete discography of David Munrow.
BIOGRAPHY
(This biography is based closely on an excerpt of James Durant's text appearing on the back cover of the Angel edition of
Munrow's Renaissance suite, with corrections from Gillian Munrow, and minor editing.)
David Munrow's passion for early music and musical instruments commenced in 1960 when he was 18. Teaching in Peru under the
British Council Overseas Voluntary Scheme, he became interested in South American folk music and took back to England with him
Bolivian flutes, Peruvian pipes, and dozens of other obscure instruments. The following year he entered Cambridge as an English major.
There a crumhorn hanging off a friend's wall aroused his interest and led him to delve deeply into an independent study of
Renaissance and Medieval music.
This article also adds:
For further reading, I suggest one interview that appeared in the Gramophone (May 1974, p. 2009 - David Munrow Talks to Alan Blyth) and "Obituaries" in July 1976 edition of the Gramophone (p. 154). The last one gives to the reader a general understanding of the personality of this "man of manic energy."
--John Stumbles 13:17, 4 April 2007 (UTC)
- Yes it is the VSO. I started collecting some stuff on Munrow (eg the biog in the DNB) but editing the article is a bit daunting!! Bluewave 13:39, 4 April 2007 (UTC)
