John Bennet (composer)

John Bennet (c. 1575 – after 1614) was a composer of the English madrigal school. The birth and death of John Bennet is unknown, however his first collection of madrigals were published in 1599.

Life

Bennet's madrigals include All Creatures Now as well as Weep, O Mine Eyes. 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. One of his most famous pieces is Weep, O Mine Eyes. This piece is a madrigal. 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 Abingdon School 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

The style of which John Bennet enjoys to write his pieces in were of madrigal style. He also composed several religious songs for church choral performances. The main inspiration for composition style comes from 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)

References

These are more recent sources.

• ttp://www.naxos.com/person/John_Bennet/25983.htm
• http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/02701?q=john+bennet&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit
• http://www.allmusic.com/composition/weep-o-mine-eyes-from-madrigals-to-four-voyces-mc0002501979
• http://www.users.on.net/~algernon/weep/

Attribution

 

External links

• Free scores by John Bennet (composer) at the International Music Score Library Project
• Free scores by John Bennet (composer) in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• Listen to free recordings of songs from Umeå Akademiska Kör.