Giles Swayne (b. 1946)
Autograph manuscript signed ('Giles Swayne'), 'Adam lay ibounden' for solo cello and double choir, op.126, 6 September 2009
A new setting of this 15th century Christmas carol.

In pencil, signed and dated in pen, title, tempo markings, pagination and performance indications in various ink colours; 13 pages, 297 x 420mm, stapled, a working manuscript on one system of 9 staves, further musical sketches added on up to five staves at lower margin; with a copy of the printed edition. Blue cloth portfolio.

Provenance:
(1) Sotheby's, 1 December 2010, part of lot 110.

(2) Schøyen Collection, MS 5477/1

The text of 'Adam lay ybounden' was found in a manuscript (Sloane MS 2593) at the British Library, and has been dated to c. 1400: the text has been localised as belonging to a wandering minstrel, perhaps in Norfolk. In the absence of the original music, the poem has been frequently set by 20th and 21st century composers, including Boris Ord, Peter Warlock and John Ireland. This setting by Giles Swayne was commissioned by St John’s College, Cambridge for its 2009 Advent Carol Service, and first performed by them under Andrew Nethsingha with Graham Walker (cello) in St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge on 28 and 29 November 2009, broadcast on BBC Radio 3.