Fond Farewell

Today

I'm very saddened to hear of the death of Gregory, a very old friend of mine. Although I knew he was fairly frail (he used to joke about his collection of hospital specialists) this was unexpected. He'd only recently set up his Facebook page and we were planning to meet up at the Brighton Early Music festival at the end of the month.

I last saw him at Paul's 60th bash in June where he joined in with great spirit. I realise that I've known him longer than any friend with whom I'm still in touch. He was such a loving, sweet-natured and enthusiastic man and he always offered me love.

In My Day

Gregory was a man of several identities. I don't mean this in any sinister way. I first knew him as Colin. He had a very fine tenor voice and had given himself a stage name "Giovanni Gervase". For some reason, for many years I referred to him as Colin Gervase. He answered to Colin long after he'd adopted the name Gregory as part of his conversion to Christian Orthodoxy. But I'm now used to thinking of him as Gregory.

I got to know him through The Byrdian Society" a small madrigal group formed with the stated aim of raising funds for the Norwood Preservation Society. I don't think we ever made much money; our music was hardly mainstream and we had no talent for marketing. Following that I joined the Catholic church choir where Gregory was choirmaster. I do remember a very spirited concert of medieval Christmas Carols which we performed at 4BH to a packed house.

Gregory, I think, struggled for most of his adult life with unrewarding jobs and financial hardship. But he was always passionate about the music of the great Renaissance masters. We sang together for many years and he always had faith in my singing, unobtrusively pushing me to achieve more; the pinnacle being singing Allegri's Miserere.

As it often is with long-lasting friendships, we sometimes lost touch with each other. When we found each other it was always with great joy and pleasure. We've been in continuous touch for about the past ten years and always made the effort to meet up.

Gregory, thank you for showing me the joy of singing and for always being my friend.