(Proved 30 July 1674 by Catherine Humfrey Relict and sole
executrix).
Humfrey's life, brief though it was, must be regarded as a turning
point in our art's history--not alone by his own compositions, but by
the infusion of his influence into the greater Purcell. He was not
only Purcell's master at the Chapel Royal, but actually composed an
Anthem jointly with Purcell, called _By the Waters of Babylon_. In
Boyce's opinion "he was the first of our ecclesiastical {107} composers
who had the least idea of musical pathos and expression of the words,"
but this is an exaggeration.
This great advance in our music was carried on by the immortal Purcell,
who, as a choir-boy under Humfrey, was, no doubt, an eager listener to
the "new effects" which his master introduced. The pupil is so great,
one is in danger of forgetting the master. At least here we have
endeavoured to do some justice to the short-lived genius Pelham Humfrey.
[1] I have lately identified the spot. Keepe was for eighteen years a
member of the Abbey Choir, and probably sang at Humfrey's funeral.
[2] I cannot help thinking Pepys meant Pelham as the swaggering young
handsome gentleman, and Monteith as the sober citizen merchant.
{108}