| English composer. Gentleman of Chapel Royal
(1626); a royal musician for lutes and voices (1631). Suggested to Milton
composition of Comus and wrote music for it (performed 1634); composed music
for the George Sandys version of Psalms (1638) and for Choice Psalmes put
into Musick (with his brother William, 1648); published three books of airs
(Ayres and Dialogues for One, Two, and Three Voices, 1653, 1655, 1658);
best known for his continuo songs. His brother William (1602–1645)
composed music for some 25 dramatic productions, including Jonson’s
Entertainment at Welbeck (1633), Shirley’s The Triumph of Peace (1634),
Davenant’s The Triumph of the Prince d’Amour (1635, with his brother
Henry) and Britannia Triumphans (1638), Cartwright’s The Royal Slave
(1636, with Henry); also noted for his consort suites, fantasias, Psalms,
anthems, keyboard music, etc.; killed fighting for Royalist cause. |