Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Julia L Date: 02 Feb 25 - 07:57 PM My mother was taking classical guitar when I was 10 (1966). She was also a gifted singer and her guitar teacher assigned the John Runge English songbooks for study. I love the songs and became hooked. When she became pregnant with my brother and could no longer hold the guitar, she let me take her lessons including the Runge songs. I then went to the library and found the Child ballads,which led to an independent study of Tolkien's sources, a semester in England mining the Bodleian, etc etc It really was a seed planted and still thriving as I have recently published the first in a series of books about Maine "Bygone Ballads". Thanks for this information about someone who "lit my fire" |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,S.Sheppard Interlochen Arts Aca. 1961-65 Date: 31 Jan 25 - 11:06 AM A correction needed. I inadvertently put the wrong years I attender IAA. Should be: 1962-65. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,S.Sheppard Interlochen Arts Aca. 1961-65 Date: 31 Jan 25 - 10:35 AM I just happened on this thread about John Runge, and thought I would throw a new slant on his career into the mix. Dr. Runge was my classical guitar teacher at the Interlochen Arts Academy in 1962.In fact, I retired my original Goya guitar for a new classical Spanish made guitar in order to study with him. He was amazing. I was the only student of classical guitar studying with him. He left Interlochen the following year I believe. He was quite wonderful. I do not remember him singing ever with the guitar. I think he was just teaching chemistry. I have never forgotten him, however. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST Date: 23 Aug 22 - 01:36 PM Dear Guest, Yes indeed I met you at John’s Cassia Appartment during your visit in Rome. This was before you left and hitched to Germany and back. Do you still have the cello and were you at the time studying to be a professional cellist. fabienleclainche@gmail.com Hope to read from you Best and brightest Flavio |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST Date: 22 Jun 20 - 01:26 PM My late mother was a close friend of John, and at my birth in 1960 he became a godfather (along with Maurice Bevan of the Deller Consort). I have many happy childhood memories of his visits in this capacity, and he always took a keen interest in my musical education. As there had been several Johns in his army unit, he was called Bob, and I always knew him as “Uncle Bobby”. In 1979, before going up to Trinity Cambridge as a Choral Scholar, I spent some 3 months with him and his wife Emily at their house off the Via Cassia in Rome in 1979. We had many happy hours of music making: I accompanied his clarinet on the piano, and he tried – not altogether successfully – to teach me the art of bel canto (young choral scholars do not necessarily make good opera singers!). I also remember taking part in a staged sera musicale with the English-speaking community in Rome, which John organised with great enthusiasm. I was the one who went from there to buy a cello in Germany (Mittenwald). |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 28 Aug 17 - 04:52 AM Seems like I am completely wrong about this (getting old). The film was "The Long Memory" (1952) and the song was not "Banks of Sweet Primroses" but "Searching for Lambs". There is a previous thread about this on Mudcat and the singer seems to have been one Michael Martin-Harvey. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 28 Aug 17 - 04:28 AM At the end of this film (title still unknown!) the camera pans over some riverbank/marshes and then we hear someboby singing "The Banks of Sweet Primroses". We do not see the singer. It is all very strange and does not seem to fit in with the film itself. I will try to find out what the film was called. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: Thomas Stern Date: 27 Aug 17 - 09:02 PM Thanks Barry and Mike! Mike - would like to know more about the film.....??? Would be a treat if there is a filmed record of Runge performing. discography correction - the RIVERSIDE, WASHINGTON releases: RIVERSIDE RLP 12-814 12"-LP A Concert of English Folk Songs Sung by JOHN RUNGE accompanying himself on guitar Edited and notes by Kenneth S. Goldstein The Singer Views his Art by John Runge [Riverside Specialty Series] Folk Song Discography Ed Cray Western Folklore Vol. 17, No. 2 (Apr., 1958), pp. 150-152 (article consists of 3 pages) A1 Little Sir William A2 Old Daddy Fox A3 Poor Old Horse A4 The Foggy Dew A5 Turmut Hoein' A6 The Lady and the Swine A7 Joe, the Carrier Lad A8 Sylvie A9 The Three Crows B1 The Mermaid B2 The Water Is Wide B3 Barley Mow B4 I Will Give My Love an Apple B5 Sucking Cider Through a Straw B6 Geordie B7 The Clucking Hen B8 Soldier, Soldier B9 Star, News, Standard Riverside Wonderland 1424 VA: Folk Songs for Little Sailors - The mermaid (John Runge) Riverside Wonderland 1425 LP 1966 VA: Folk Songs From The Children's Zoo A2 Old Daddy Fox (John Runge) B4 Poor Old Horse (John Runge) The Three Crows (John Runge) RIVERSIDE RLP 12-817 12"-LP NYC June, 1957 MAN IS FOR THE WOMAN MADE and other songs from England's Golden Age A1 Man is for the woman made / words by John Motteux ; music by Henry Purcell A2 If music be the food of love / words by Colonel Heveningham ; music by Purcell A3 When Laura smiles A4 Follow thy fair sunne A5 I care not for these ladies A6 The cypress curtain of the night A7 Never weather-beaten saile / words and music by Thomas Campian B1 Fill me a bowl / words by John Oldham ; music by John Blow B2 Greensleeves / anonymous B3 Come again / words and music by John Dowland B4 Willow song / anonymous B5 Bryng us in good ale / anonymous B6 Since I first saw your face / words and music by Thomas Ford B7 Have you seene but a whyte lillie grow / words by Ben Jonson ; music, anonymous [Billboard, Jan 6 1958] WASHINGTON VM 735 12"-LP ENGLISH FOLK SONGS OLD AND OLDER sung and played by JOHN RUNGE Recorded in New York, June, 1957 Produced by Kenneth S. Goldstein Program and biographical notes, in part by Kenneth S. Goldstein A Elisabethan Songs 1 Man is for the woman made (John Motteux-Henry Purcell) 2 Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Invite (John Dowland) 3 Never weather-beaten saile (Thomas Campian) 4 I Care Not for These Ladies 5 Willow song (anonymous) 6 The Cypress Curtain of the Night 7 Fill me a bowl (John Oldham-John Blow) 8 Have you seene but a whyte lillie grow (Ben Jonson-anonymous) B Folk Songs 1 Old Daddy Fox 2 Sylvie 3 The Foggy Dew 4 Turmut Hoein' 5 Poor Old Horse 6 Geordie 7 Joe, the Carrier Lad 8 I Will Give My Love an Apple 9 The Barley Mow [Billboard, Feb 16 1963] The WONDRELAND Lp's are compilation albums of assorted tracks from the Riverside Folklore Series albums. The WASHINGTON Lp is a compilation of material from the two previous John Runge RIVERSIDE albums. (Many Washington albums were straight reissues of a single previous Riverside album. In this instance they selected cuts from the two preious albums). Thomas. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 27 Aug 17 - 03:43 AM Thetre is an old black and white English film - can't remember the title - which ends with somebody singing "The Banks of Sweet Primroses". I see that Runge recorded a version of this song, so could it be him in the film? |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Barry Sterndale-Bennett Date: 26 Aug 17 - 07:00 AM I happened to find this dialogue purely by chance. I well remember John Runge as a physics master during my schooldays at Sherborne and your above entry of dates and qualifications is correct. But it was in studying singing that he was of kindly help to me. I still have his LP of English folk songs. I often heard him perform in concerts and as a soloist in amateur opera performances. I recall him being regarded as vague at times but his sense of humour was such that he turned up to a new academic year staff meeting the term after he had left To a bemused group around him he simply said 'Sorry, wrong school' and walked out! |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,RBG Date: 01 Apr 14 - 08:09 AM I was at Sherborne Preparatory School and later at Sherborne School when JR taught there. At the Prep, JR was friendly with the Head and his family, and occasionally sang to us young boys informally before bedtime, accompanied by his guitar, in the head's study with us sprawled on the floor. He also often appeared on BBC radio children's programmes. His forte was children's songs, and he was an utterly enchanting entertainer, singing in English (and French "Le jour de lavage", and in local dialect (eg "The Turmot Hoeing") I still remember the words of some of these songs to this day. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Alexandra Koch Date: 30 Apr 13 - 02:20 AM Just a quick note, having discovered this thread unexpectedly... Emily his wife left Sevenoaks and followed her daughter to Tulsa Oklahoma. I have lost touch in the last years, but she would be your source for everything. A kind supporter of a talented man. I enjoyed my times with them at that fabulous home in Sevenoaks. His hobbies and interests were diverse... He passed eventually of cancer she returned to America. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST, BJ Wenk Date: 15 Apr 12 - 04:35 PM In 1962 John took a job as head of the science department at the brand new Interlochen Arts Academy (Michigan). The chance to set up a school mingling arts and academics drew a singular quality of staff to this corner of the North Woods. Among these artists and academics, John was in a class by himself as much for his talent (only ever displayed with modesty) as for his humor. Second to the pleasure of reading John's frequent memos to the inventors of the administrative absurdities our masters decreed would have been the picture of their faces when receiving them. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 20 May 11 - 04:03 AM It's so nice to see this thread popping up from time to time with all these lovely shared memories. Still hope to click on it one day and find that a biog has been published. What a delightful man he sounds. As I said above, I loved his books, which - as a California kid - were one of the roads into British folk music for me. I still have them, though they've been loved & used into tatters by now. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Brian Baker Date: 19 May 11 - 10:19 PM John Runge was a dear friend of my parents'. My dad taught music theory and composition at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan, where Runge taught science around 1961. In 1971, when traveling in Europe, we stayed with John and Emily in Rome. During that visit he offered to drive us by a few Roman ruins in the countryside. Having only a short time before a teaching obligation, he selected a route and calculated the time necessary and we jumped in (and in my case, on) the car. It was a small convertible - his preferred type - which meant that John and my father rode in the front, my Mom and sister rode in the back, and I sat ON the back while Mom and my sister held onto my legs. I remember one of the ruins was a viaduct, and John took a few extra moments to purchase some pork from an Italian who he noticed selling it on the side of the road. He had no trouble retaining his route and timings during the drive and kept tightly to his planned schedule. He was a person of incredible openness and imagination and I dearly wish I still had my father's copies of John's LPs. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Richard Bond Date: 30 Apr 11 - 05:50 AM I actually have the Melodisc English Minstrel Songs disc mentioned above. It was given to me by a friend. I have transferred the content onto a CD. A bit scratchy! The basic Biographical information is on the sleeve. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,LeClainche Date: 20 May 10 - 10:51 AM To Anthony, We must have met at some point in the late 70s,were you the one who journeyed to Germany to purchase a cello, as a result of a gift from your uncle John? Leclainche |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Leclainche Date: 20 May 10 - 10:47 AM Yes, fully endorse Mr. Menhinick's mail...he was an extremely gifted and talented physics teacher and above all excellent musician...I have a vynil (33) of madrigal songs, amongst which...come, come again, sweet love doth now invite, to do me due delight etc...simply awsome. I would like to have other recordings listed above, would much appreciate knowing whether they are available for download or purchase. thank you Leclainche |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 24 Dec 09 - 08:13 AM Thanks for posting all that interesting info, Mark. It makes me keener than ever to read any biography that might appear on the horizon. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: GUEST,Mark Menhinick Date: 24 Dec 09 - 06:28 AM I worked with John Runge at St George's School in Rome from 1973 until his retirement in about 1978. He was Head of Science and taught physics, but he put immense energy into forming, training and directing the St George's School Men and Boys Choir, which had quite a large repertoire of English and Italian sacred music and madrigals. John also sang in and directed trios and quartets - sometimes accompanying on the guitar - catches, madrigals and burlesque and even bawdy songs from the Middle Ages to Arthur Sullivan. I have an "unofficial" recording of John, Gerry Firth, who also taught at St George's, and myself - made with the help of several bottles of wine - in about 1976. From what he told me about his wartime experiences, John must have been involved in the Ultra intelligence network commanding a Y station; and he witnessed the bombing of the monastery at Monte Cassino. One of his last journeys before he died was to re-visit Siwa oasis, but he never said why it was important to him. When I knew him, John was married to Emily, an American from - I think - Virginia; John had worked for a time in Richmomd. After St George's, he worked at Sevenoaks school and lived in a beautiful house overlooking the Kentish weald. John was a lovely man and a charming and entertaining friend; his many and varied talents never ceased to surprise us. |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 31 Mar 09 - 10:20 AM I can't even begin to add anything to the stunning array of information you've given us, Thomas, but just wanted to say thank you for coming back and sharing it. I bought his English song books when I was young and loved them. They gave me many rewarding hours and I still have them. Are you working on a biography? Whatever it is, please return and let us know when it's finished - I'm sure to want to buy a copy - Best of luck, Bonnie |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: Thomas Stern Date: 30 Mar 09 - 11:49 AM Nearly a year later, and input from many sources have contributed to the all too brief outline, along with discography copied below. If anyone has recollections of hearing him, or can fill in any details, I'd appreciate hearing from you. THANKS! Best wishes, Thomas. John Charles Runge (London, DD MMM 1914- xxxx, DD MMM 1986) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1927 Charterhouse School music studies under Dr.T.P.Fielden 19xx Trinity College, Oxford University M.A., L.R.A.M. - primary studies in Physics continues musical education harmony and composition under Dr. R.O.Morris; conducting under Dr.Reginald Jacques 1938 began career as schoolmaster and physicist, taught Physics and Chemistry. studied singing under Dr.Arnold Smith at the Royal College of Music. 1939-1946 WW2 - Major, Royal Signals, signals officer and code-breaker in Italy - studied singing in Florence - recitals on Italian radio - sang at least one Italian opera company whilst relaxing from front line duties. 1946 resumed career as schoolmaster - taught in Portsmouth and at Dartmouth Naval College 1951-1961 Sherborne School, Dorset. performing in the UK, Italy and Germany. 1951 first BBC appearance as singer-guitarist frequent broadcasts in England, Germany, and concert hall recitals 1951, March 31: Blandford Corn Exchange/ Gillingham County Secondary School: programmes with words for two choral concerts presented by the Dorset Music Council with the vocalists John Runge (March), Rosamund Strode (April) and Alan Bailey (both), conducted by Cecil Cope. c.1954-1955 performance at Malverne College 1955, March 31: Red Maid's School, Bristol. with Marjorie WESTBURY (soprano) 1956 exchange instructor at Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire 1 year exchange with Richard Brinckerhoff, who will take Mr.Runge's place at Sherborne School, Dorset. touring as a singer/guitarist 1961-xxxx taught in Rome for a period xxxx taught in Richmond, Virginia he introduced an annual 9 carol service along the lines of that from King's College, Cambridge. 1964, APRIL 18, 1964 (New York Times Music Notes) John Runge, folk singer and guitarist, Kossuth Hall, tonight at 8:30 19xx-1986 taught at Sevenoaks school until his death. One of the pupils there was Emma Johnson ,now an international clarinet soloist, whom I believe he helped coach in "stage presence" before she won the Young Musician of the Year competition which launched her career. Her win inspired him in his late 60s to play the clarinet which he taught himself to do, at least to my untutored ear, with considerable success. PUBLICATIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Three 17th Century Airs. Arranged by J. Runge. For high voice and guitar. [No. 1.] Caccini. Amarilli. [No. 2.] Monteverdi. Lasciatemi morire. [No. 3.] Anon. Have you seene but a whyte Lillie grow? Schott & Co (1956) UK, 5 pages John Runge's Collection - Early English Lute Songs and Folk Songs; With Guitar Accompaniments in the Style of the Period; Chord Charts & Fingering Explanations. Vols. I, II, III, IV Hargail Music Press, N.Y., 1959 - 1966. RUNGE, JOHN: ITALIAN SONGS OF THE RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE PERIODS. ORIGINALLY COMPOSED FOR LUTE, 5-STRING GUITAR AND CLAVICEMBALO. TRANSCRIBED WITH ENGLISH VERSIONS FOR MODERN CONCERT-GUITAR. HARGAIL MUSIC PRESS, NY, COPYRIGHT 1965. Testo italiano-inglese. Prefazione bilingue di John Runge. Cm.31x23,5. Pg.36. John Runge's Songbox for Children of all Ages: With Guitar Accompaniment, Chord Chart and Fingering Explanations. New York, N.Y. Hargail Music Press, Harold Newman, Publisher. [©1961]. Includes chord-letter chart and fingering explanations. For guitar and vocal. Cover illustration by Jenny Lewis. Printed in Holland. Includes a list of further books in the series on the rear wrapper. Cover-title. Description: 1 score (16 p.) 17 x 24 cm. ================================================================================ DISCOGRAPHY ----------- 78rpm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paraclete Music Disc, recorded in England John Runge - Tenor 53 A I Heard A Linnet Courting (H.Ian Parrott) 53 B A Prayer To St.Anthony of Padua Sick Heart (Peter Warlock) Golden Chords GC104 12"-78RPM (Christian music) I Got A Robe John Runge I'm Travellin' On Brian Winter & Bryan Gilbert Archival recordings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Folktrax (Peter Kennedy collection) MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS, THE - "Hold up your hand, dear Judge" Ch: "O the Prickle Holly Bush that pricks my heart so sore" - CHILD #95 - ROUD#144 Marjorie WESTBURY (soprano), John RUNGE (tenor) & choir of The Red Maids School John RUNGE (tenor) & choir of The Red Maids School Bristol in an arrangement by Francis Collinson of Lucas's song rec 31/3/55: RPL 21750 SWEET NIGHTINGALE, THE - "My sweetheart come along - don't you hear the fond song?" - ROUD#371 - ARNE'S Opera "Thomas & Sally" 1761 - DIXON SP 1846 & BELL SP 1857 pp247-250 Marjorie WESTBURY (soprano), John RUDGE (tenor) & choir of Red Maids School, Bristol, in an arrangement by Francis Collinson rec 31/3/55: RPL 21750 The Red Maids' School Registered office: Westbury Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 3AW British Sound Archive The sweet nightingale Westbury, Marjorie (singer, female) 246: : The sweet nightingale 702: : Westbury, Marjorie|c(singer, female) 702: : Runge, John|c(singer, male) 702: : Fairfield Grammer School Choir|c(chorus) 702: : unidentified|c(orchestra) 702: : Redman, Reginald,|b1892-1972|c(conductor) 490: : Russell Wortley Collection 631: : England 633: : English folk songs and music 260: : |c1958 [broadcast] 551: : England 506: : Roud Folk Song Index No. 371 528: : Diana Hillman 707: : Wortley, Russell [copy] 509: : Part of a BBC Home Service programme 509: : recording levels vary, distortion. 087: : C777/7 087: : 1CDR0011169 087: : 2CDR0009969 The roving kind [The fire ship] Westbury, Marjorie (singer, female) 246: : The roving kind [The fire ship] 702: : Westbury, Marjorie|c(singer, female) 702: : Runge, John|c(singer, male) 702: : BBC West of England Singers|c(chorus) 702: : unidentified|c(orchestra) 702: : Redman, Reginald,|b1892-1972|c(conductor) 490: : Russell Wortley Collection 631: : England 633: : English folk songs and music 260: : |c1958 [broadcast] 551: : England 506: : Roud Folk Song Index No. 8344 528: : Diana Hillman 707: : Wortley, Russell [copy] 509: : Part of a BBC Home Service programme 509: : recording levels vary 087: : C777/7 087: : 1CDR0011169 087: : 2CDR0009969 The Prickety bush Westbury, Marjorie (singer, female) 246: : The Prickety bush 702: : Westbury, Marjorie|c(singer, female) 702: : Runge, John|c(singer, male) 702: : BBC West of England Singers|c(chorus) 702: : Fairfield Grammer School Choir|c(chorus) 702: : unidentified|c(orchestra) 702: : Redman, Reginald,|b1892-1972|c(conductor) 490: : Russell Wortley Collection 631: : England 633: : English folk songs and music 260: : |c1958 [broadcast] 551: : England 506: : Roud Folk Song Index No. 144 506: : Child Ballad No. 95 506: : NB. Russell Wortley had noted with regards to this recording: 'Desmond Hawkins & Francis Collinson / recording of Charlie Lucas - Dorset hurdle-maker / (about 19)' suggesting that this arrangement is from that source, (though Charlie Lucas was from Sixpenny Handley, Wiltshire, and his version was callled 'The maid freed from the gallows'. 506: : This is probably an arrangement by Francis Collinson. 528: : Diana Hillman 707: : Wortley, Russell [copy] 509: : Part of a BBC Home Service programme 509: : over recorded 087: : C777/7 087: : 1CDR0011169 087: : 2CDR0009969 LP's ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STINSON SLP 88 12"-LP ENGLISH FOLK SONGS JOHN RUNGE (John Runge Sings Traditional English Folk Songs) insert notes by John Runge A1 Geordie A2 The Oyster Girl A3 I Will Give My Love an Apple A4 Joe the Carrier Lad A5 Sylvie A6 The Lincolnshire Poacher A7 Poor Old Horse A8 Early One Morning A9 Turmut Hoein' A10 Black is the Color B1 The Plymouth Maid's Lament B2 The Tailor and the Mouse B3 Oh The Oak and the Ash B4 Lord Rendall B5 The Barley Mow B6 Topsy-Turvey Land B7 There Were Three Crows B8 Counting Sheep B9 The Mouse, The Frog and the Little Red Hen B10 Michael Finnegan B11 The Pigtail RIVERSIDE RLP 12-814 12"-LP A Concert of English Folk Songs Sung by JOHN RUNGE accompanying himself on guitar Edited and notes by Kenneth S. Goldstein The Singer Views his Art by John Runge [Riverside Specialty Series] A1 Little Sir William A2 Old Daddy Fox A3 Poor Old Horse A4 The Foggy Dew A5 Turmut Hoein' A6 The Lady and the Swine A7 Joe, the Carrier Lad A8 Sylvie A9 The Three Crows B1 The Mermaid B2 The Water Is Wide B3 Barley Mow B4 I Will Give My Love an Apple B5 Sucking Cider Through a Straw B6 Geordie B7 The Clucking Hen B8 Soldier, Soldier B9 Star, News, Standard Riverside Wonderland 1425 V.A.: Folk Songs From The Children's Zoo John Runge - Poor Old Horse RIVERSIDE RLP 12-817 MAN IS FOR THE WOMAN MADE 12"-LP Man is for the Woman made and other songs from England's Golden Age WASHINGTON VM 735 ENGLISH FOLK SONGS OLD AND OLDER 12"-LP sung and played by JOHN RUNGE Recorded in New York, June, 1957 Produced by Kenneth S. Goldstein Program and biographical notes, in part by Kenneth S. Goldstein Some listings include the following titles: If music be the food of love (Colonel Heveningham-Purcell) When Laura smiles ; Follow thy fair sunne Greensleeves (anonymous) Bryng us in good ale (anonymous) Since I first saw your face (Thomas Ford) A Elisabethan Songs 1 Man is for the woman made (John Motteux-Henry Purcell) 2 Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Invite (John Dowland) 3 Never weather-beaten saile (Thomas Campian) 4 I Care Not for These Ladies 5 Willow song (anonymous) 6 The Cypress Curtain of the Night 7 Fill me a bowl (John Oldham-John Blow) 8 Have you seene but a whyte lillie grow (Ben Jonson-anonymous) B Folk Songs 1 Old Daddy Fox 2 Sylvie 3 The Foggy Dew 4 Turmut Hoein' 5 Poor Old Horse 6 Geordie 7 Joe, the Carrier Lad 8 I Will Give My Love an Apple 9 The Barley Mow MELODISC (UK) EPM 7-64 7"-45rpm EP ps English Minstrel Songs sung by John Runge unsigned notes: The Folk Songs of John Runge A1 Old Daddy Fox A2 Come Again Sweet Love A3 Man is For The Woman Made B1 Foggy Dew B2 Soldier, Soldier B3 Have You Seen But A White Lily Grown SMC PRO-ARTE SMC-1076 12-LP folksongs of the English Countryside & children's songs sung by john Runge, with his guitar recording by Gabriel Oller [front cover: photo of Runge in jester costume, surrounded by children, notes & program list] A1 THE BANKS OF THE SWEET PRIMEROSES THE OAK AND THE ASH A2 THE MEAD MISS BAILEY'S GHOST THE WILD ROVER A3 LORD RENDAL FLOWERS AND WEEDS THE LINCOLNSHIRE POACHER B1 CIGARETTE SYD AND SNUFFBOX SUE TOPSY-TURVY LAND COUNTING SHEEP B2 THE TUNE THE OLD COW DIED ON MICHAEL FINNEGAN THE MOUSE, THE FROG, AND THE LITTLE RED HEN B3 THE TAILOR AND THE MOUSE I BOUGHT ME A CAT OI BE A FARMER BOY ======================================================================= Anthony Runge (nephew): "His repertoire extending from the 16th century to Burl Ives via Victorian Music Hall and Flamenco tunes learnt while staying with the Gipsies in the caves at Granada. He sang in many languages and most of the UK's regional dialects. Music was important in his life but his real love was teaching. He broadcast regularly with the BBC from Bristol and I remember my father (his elder brother) asking him if he had considered making music his full-time occupation. His reply was that if he did so , it would not be possible to continue teaching and was therefore out of the question." Oscar Brand notes to AUDIO FIDELITY AFLP 1952 BAWDY GOES TO COLLEGE c.1960 Bawdy Songs Goes To College [ca. 1960] DRINKS ALL 'ROUND (DENVER) The melody and many of the words were supplied by John Runge,.but the cement which finally made the song possible for recording was applied by a School of Mines student backstage at Denver's "Exodus" Club. The song has a sneaky way of avoiding the nasty words expected of it which reminds one of "The Clean Song" (Vol. V, 1884) and "Sweet Violets" (Vol. IV, 1847). THE DUCHESS AND THE STUDENT (OXFORD) This is a contemporary version of the ancient song, "The Jolly Tinker" (Volume 3, AFLP 1824), with a new approach provided by England's John Runge. In the old days, the Tinker or Gypsy was ascribed miraculous sexual prowess. In fact, the word "glamour" comes from a Romany technique for making men irresistible. In the new song, probably because of wishful thinking, a student is the hero. Paul Tracey - The Wandering Minstrel "When I was a teenager, teaching myself to play guitar from a book, a man called John Runge gave an assembly at my school and blew me away with his skillful playing and singing. I thought to myself, "Oh no! I'll never be that good. I might as well give up right now." But I also thought, "Look what you can do if you set your mind to it!" John Runge's inspiring performance has been behind my whole career. I love performing for children, because I know that if I can do it well enough, I can inspire others like John Runge inspired me." ===================================================================================== |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: katlaughing Date: 18 May 08 - 01:13 AM oops, I see you've been here lot longer than I thought!:-) |
Subject: RE: John Runge - need biographical information From: katlaughing Date: 18 May 08 - 01:12 AM I did s super search on his name, here, and there are a few references to him, mostly about his book of songs, but I did find this. You'll have to ask Don, but I think the last bit (I've put in italics) refers to Runge: Subject: RE: Richard Dyer-Bennett info. nice. From: Don Firth - PM Date: 04 May 01 - 03:37 PM Yes, Rick, I have a record of John Runge, quite probably the same one you had: English Folk Songs on Riverside. I got it sometime in the late Fifties. My wife and I move awhile back, and our vinyl record turntable is under a pile of debris waiting to be exhumed. As I recall, he was pretty good, but -- in my opinion, at least -- he was not quite as clean, precise, and -- well -- interesting as Richard Dyer-Bennett, if that makes any kind of sense. Born in England, studied music there and in Florence, Italy; sang some on the BBC, then moved to the U.S. -- New Hampshire. Did concerts and such and taught singing, but his day-job was schoolmaster-physicist. I am sure Don and Curmudgeon as well as others will be able to help out a bit more. Welcome to the Mudcat! kat |
Subject: John Runge From: Thomas Stern Date: 17 May 08 - 09:02 PM Can someone provide biographical information for JOHN RUNGE? He recorded (LP) albums (possibly 3) for Riverside, published Lute Song collections (Hargail music). There are some 78rpm records with this performer credit made in the UK; I would like to know if it is the same John Runge. What became of him after the LP's??? Is he alive? ETC... Thanks, Thomas. |
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