Biography
Born the sixth offspring of John Camidge, the distinguished English patriarch among York’s organists, Matthew Camidge emerged as a skilled chorister and organist whose command of the instrument earned widespread notice across northern England. His “Collection of Psalms” later circulated under the title “The York Psalm and Hymn Book,” presenting roughly thirty melodies arranged for vocal harmonies and organ. The sonatas he wrote for violin or cello accompanied by organ garnered the greatest share of his musical recognition, widely regarded as distinguished examples of keyboard composition. Though his output showed scant personal inventiveness, it reflected the assured hand of a practiced craftsman. The range of his works encompassed sonatas, concertos, songs, anthems, and psalmody.