Thomas Morley (1557-1602); ENG

Thomas Morley (1557/58–1602) was an English composer, organist, theorist, and music publisher and one of the leading figures of the Elizabethan madrigal. He was probably born in Norwich and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Oxford in 1588. He served as organist at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and in 1592 became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal. Morley also secured a music-printing patent, making him an important figure in the dissemination of music in late Elizabethan England.

Morley was the most influential English advocate of the Italian madrigal style, favoring graceful melodies, clear textures, and lively word-painting. His best-known pieces include Now Is the Month of Maying, Sing We and Chant It, and April Is in My Mistress’ Face. He edited the anthology The Triumphs of Oriana and wrote the important theoretical treatise A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musicke, one of the principal sources for understanding English Renaissance musical practice.

###

Read biography at allmusic.com.