LAWRENCE, ALEXANDER [SSNE 1541]
Text source
Alexander Lawrence was probably employed at the Danish court already in the 1630s. One source (Sachs) notes that in 1633 King Christian IV sent Alexander to Berlin to learn the viola da gamba. Another source (Spohr) omits to mention that betwen 1635-7 Alexander was one of three Danish court musicians sent to England, presumably on recruitment missions for further musicians. Alexander was engaged as a tenor of the royal choir at the Danish court and as player of violin or viola da gamba in the Kongelige Kapel (royal orchestra) on 15/10/1645. On 19/3/1649 engaged exclusively as player of basfiol (ie. violoncello) and viola de gamba, and his wages increased in 1650.
Curt Sachs, Music und Oper am kurbrandenburgischen hof, p.47. Arne Spohr, "How chances it they travel?" Englischer musiker in Danemark und Norddeutschland 1579-1630. See also E. Marquard, Prins Christian (V) breve, vol.1, pp. 230. 239, 374. T. Riis, Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot (Odense, 1988), II, p.66. (RA. Da. Kanc. B183 a: Bestallingsbog, fol.46v., 103v.-104r.; ibid. B 183 c: Bestallingsbog, p.58).
Service record
- DENMARK-NORWAY,
- Arrived 1633-01-01
- Departed 1650-12-31
- Capacity MUSICIAN, purpose ROYAL SERVANT