Thomas Moore - Anniversary (1779-1852)

Subject: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: Fiolar
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 05:31 AM

Today February 25th 2002 is the 150th anniversary of the death of Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852). Probably more than anyone else he was the main influence in the spread of Irish song in the 19th century. His "Irish Melodies" which were published in various parts between 1807 and 1834 had the music arranged by Sir John Stevenson who apparently used traditional Irish tunes. They were an immediate success and earned Moore a fair amount of cash. Moore was a friend of Lord Byron who left him his memoirs. Moore sold them to a publisher but then bought them back and burned them. His melodies today still have a certain popularity and probably the best known singer of them in the 20th century was John McCormack. Moore knew his market and as far as I know none of his "melodies" are in the Irish language. His later years were plagued by tragedy and illness.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 05:55 AM

Fiolar, In to-days Irish Times there is an excellent article by Robert O`Byrne on Thomas Moore. English poet Henry Luttrell wrote at the time, "I`m told,dear Moore, your lays are sung/ [Can it be true, you lucky man?] By moonlight in the Persian tongue/, Along the streets of Ispahan". And his songs are still being sung. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: nutty
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 07:06 AM

I believe that Moore did a great dis-service to Irish folk music by manufacturing a culture which was based on "English" song.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 08:40 AM

ridiculous - Moore took Irish music to the English, and preserved much of it for the Irish, I highly recommend James Flannery's book & 2 cd set on Thomas Moore 'Dear Harp of My COuntry' also to hear what a good Irish tenor can sound like instead of the Three shouting fools passing off as singers.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: masato sakurai
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 08:50 AM

More info on James Flannery's book: DEAR HARP OF MY COUNTRY — the Irish Melodies of Thomas Moore.

~Masato

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: Brakn
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 09:29 AM

Just a note. Moore is buried in St Nicholas Church graveyard, Bromham, Wiltshire, England. There is also a window in the church dedicated to him.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 10:03 AM

and a statue of him in Dublin on College Street, by Christopher Moore, 1857

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Moore - Anniversary
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 12:28 PM

Here's the Irish Times article (while it lasts).

~ Becky in Tucson