Thomas Weelkes (b. ca. 1575, Elstedt, England; d. 1623, London)

Although he made his living as a church musician (he was organist at Winchester College and later at Chichester Cathedral), Weelkes is most famous for his madrigals. Only one collection of his madrigals appeared after 1602, however, so he seems to have devoted his last years to sacred music.

As was typical of English composers of his time, Weelkes made extensive use of word painting in his madrigals. The madrigals are bold and inventive; even his early works (written before age twenty-two) show a master hand. His rhythmic brilliance is achieved in part by setting a single voice in a different rhythm than the rhythm produced by the harmonic movement.

His late madrigals retain youthful enthusiasm and a vivid imagination. His Madrigals of 5. and 6. Parts, Apt for the Viols and Voices, written in 1600, is one of the greatest of all English collections. He also wrote extended fantasies for voices and instruments that incorporate nearly 150 cries and songs of street vendors, as well as works for virginal and organ and for instrumental ensemble. Weelkes’s church music is more conservative than his madrigals, although it displays the same skill in handling six or more voices.