John Bennet (composer)

John Bennet (c. 1575 – after 1614) was a composer of the English madrigal school. Little is known for certain of Bennet's life, but his first collection of madrigals was published in 1599.[1]

Sir John Bennet
Bornc.1575
Diedafter 1614
OccupationComposer

Life

Bennet's madrigals include "All Creatures Now" as well as "Weep, O Mine Eyes".[2] The latter is an homage to John Dowland, using part of Dowland's most famous piece, "Flow My Tears", also known in its pavane form as Lachrymae Antiquae. John Bennet's life is mostly undocumented. Bennet did however leave behind evidence that his impact is great. Bennet dedicated his madrigal volume, These First Fruits of My Simple Skill The Endeavors of a Young Wit to Ralph Assheton in 1599. Assheton held civic office in both Lancashire and Cheshire, he was dedicated as a token for favours received. It seems probable, therefore, that Bennet came from the north-west of England, and was born about 1575–80.

Early life

Bennet was born into a prosperous family and received his first exposure to music as a choirboy. He was educated at John Roysse's Free School in Abingdon (now Abingdon School) [3] and advanced in music by his early twenties, he produced the Volume of 17: Madrigals for Four Voices. At around that same time, Bennet fashioned four psalm settings and a prayer for the 1599 Barley's psalter. Though Bennet's style showed the influence of Wilbye, Weelkes, and Dowland, his greatest debt was to Thomas Morley.

Social Status

It is likely that Bennet had strong connections in high places in English society: many of his madrigals were written for festive occasions held at Court or in private residences of wealthy patrons in London. His madrigal, "Eliza, her Name Gives Honour" was one of several madrigals written for the feted guest at a celebration, in this case Queen Elizabeth. At such events, choirboys from the Chapel Royal were typically the featured performers.

Composition Style

John Bennet composed chiefly in the English madrigal style. He also composed several religious songs for church choral performances. His music shows a great deal of influence from the works of Thomas Morley. Bennet did not borrow musical ideas from earlier settings but he was knowledgeable about the latest trends of English madrigal during the time he was alive.

Pieces
  • Lure, falconers, lure!, hunting madrigal
  • My mistresse is as faire
  • Round About in a Fair Ring
  • The dark is my delight
  • The Hunt Is Up
  • Thyrsis, sleepest thou?
  • Trumpet Voluntary in D
  • All Creatures Now Are Merry Minded
  • Credo, for 3 voices (No. 15)
  • Eliza, her name gives honour
  • Elves' Dance
  • Gloria, for 3 voices (No. 13)
  • Hunt Is Up
  • Venus' Birds
  • Weep, O mine eyes (from Madrigals to four voyces)
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See also

References
  1. Chisholm 1911.
  2. John Bennet at Naxos.com. Retrieved 29. August 2010
  3. Hinde/St John Parker, Thomas/Michael (1977). The Martlet and the Griffen. James and James Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-907-383-777.
Attribution

Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bennett, John" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

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