These two fantasies by James Harding (d. 1626), come down only in a keyboard source (British Library, Add. MS 30485). However, the keyboard settings do not seem particularly idiomatic, and as two neighbouring pieces in the source exist also in part books, it seems legitimate to print the pieces in four-part score.
James Harding was a professional wind player who almost certainly moved to England from Holland, Germany or possibly Denmark.
His most well-known piece is a galliard that was arranged for keyboard by no less than William Byrd; a matching pavan by Johann Sommer is included in the Füllsack/Hildebrandt anthology of 1607.
In this edition the original note values have been retained. A few editorial accidentals appear above the stave, applying to the one note only.
Bernard Thomas
