John Bennet (composer)


John Bennet 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.

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. 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 to 1580.

Early life

Bennet was born into a prosperous family and received his first exposure to music as a choirboy 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 I. 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.

Works

MadrigalsMadrigalls to Fovre Voyces
  • * I wander up and down
  • * Weep silly soul disdained
  • * So gracious is thy sweet self
  • * Let go, why do you stay me
  • * Come, shepherds, follow me
  • * I languish to complain me
  • * Sing out, ye nymphs
  • * Thirsis, sleepest thou
  • * Ye restless thoughts
  • * When as I glance
  • * Cruel unkind my heart thou hast bereft me
  • * O sleep, o sleep fond fancy
  • * Weep, o mine eyes
  • * Since neither tunes of joy
  • * O grief, where shall poor grief
  • * O sweet grief, o sweet sighs
  • * Rest, now Amphion
  • Six madrigals by Bennet were published in Thomas Ravenscroft's A Briefe Discourse
  • * A hunts vp
  • * For the hearne and ducke
  • * The Elues Daunce
  • * Three Fooles
  • * The Seruant of his Mistris
  • * Their Wedlocke
  • "All creatures now are merry minded", for 5 voices
  • "Round about in a fair ring", for 4 voices
  • "My mistress is as fair as fine", for 4 voices
Consort songs
  • "Eliza, her name gives honour"
  • "Venus' birds"
Anthems
  • "O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands", soloist, chorus and organ
  • "O God of gods", in 5 parts
  • "O God of gods o king of kings", in 4 parts
  • "Thou art, o Lord, my strength and stay"
Psalms
  • "My soul praise thou the Lord allways"
  • "Oft they, now Israel may say"
  • "O Lord how joyful is the king"
  • "O Lord I put my trust in thee"
  • "Thou heard that Israel dost keepe"