David Farquhar Photo: Supplied by SOUNZ
David Farquhar was born in Cambridge, New Zealand in 1928 but spent most of his early years in Fiji. He was educated in New Zealand and began his university studies in Christchurch before completing his degree at Victoria University in Wellington where he studied with Douglas Lilburn. He taught briefly at St Peter's School, Cambridge, before going to Britain where he completed an MA at Cambridge University, and also studied composition with Benjamin Frankel at the Guildhall School of Music in London. On his return to New Zealand he joined the staff of the Department of Music at Victoria University, and was made Professor of Music in 1976, retiring in 1993. He was the Founder-President of the Composers’ Association of New Zealand in 1974 and was awarded their Citation for Services to New Zealand Music in 1984. In 2004 he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to music. He composed numerous orchestral, choral, stage and instrumental works, songs and music for children. David Farquhar died in Wellington, New Zealand in 2007.
I Sing of a Maiden for unaccompanied SATB choir is based on a Middle English poem of the same name:
I sing of a maiden
That is matchless,
King of all kings
For her son she chose.
He came as still
Where his mother was
As dew in April
That falls on the grass.
He came as still
To his mother's bower
As dew in April
That falls on the flower.
He came as still
Where his mother lay
As dew in April
That falls on the spray.
Mother and maiden
There was never, ever one but she;
Well may such a lady
God's mother be.
