John Bennet, classical music composer

John Bennet

Biography

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.

His 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 mos famous piece, Flow my Tears, also known in its pavane form as Lachrymae Antiquae. John Bennet's life is mostly undocumented. Bennet did how ever 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 composed in 1599, These First Fruits Of My Simple Skill The Endeavors Of A Young Wit to Ralph Assheton. 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. Composed pieces are madrigal as he taught and learned at a school of madrigal.

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

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.

(From wikipedia.org)

Composer Title Date Action
John Bennet Weep, O Mine Eyes 12/09/2015 Play Add to playlist
John Bennet All Creatures Now 05/04/2018 Play Add to playlist
John Bennet Weep, O Mine Eyes 05/04/2018 Play Add to playlist