A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Weelkes, Thomas
WEELKES, Thomas, Mus. Bac., one of the most distinguished of English madrigal writers, published in 1597 a set of 'Madrigals to 3, 4, 5 and 6 Voyces,' which he described in the dedication as 'the first fruicts of my barren ground.' This was reprinted in score by the Musical Antiquarian Society under the editorship of Mr. (now Dr.) E. J. Hopkins. In 1598 he published a set of 'Ballets and Madrigals to five voyces, with one to 6 voyces,' in the dedication of which he speaks of his years being unripened. A second impression appeared in 1608. In 1600 he issued two works, viz. 'Madrigals of 5 and 6 parts apt for the Viols and Voyces,' and 'Madrigals of 6 parts, apt for the Viols and Voices,' describing himself upon the title-pages of both as 'of the Coledge at Winchester Organist.' In 1601 he contributed to 'The Triumphes of Oriana' the fine madrigal's 'As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending.' In 1602 he took the degree of Mus. Bac. at Oxford as of New College, his Christian name being erroneously entered in the University Register as 'William.' In 1608 he published 'Ayeres or Phantasticke Spirites for three voices,' upon the title-page of which he described himself as 'Gentleman of his Majesties Chappell, Batchelar of Musicke, and Organist of the Cathedral Church of Chichester,' but as his name is not to be found in the Cheque-book of the Chapel Royal it is doubtful whether he held any regular appointment there. In 1614 he was a contributor to Leighton's 'Teares or Lamentacions.' His five published works contain 94 compositions distinguished by originality and excellent part-writing, as well as by a certain characteristic stiffness; many of them are still popular and have been often reprinted. Amongst them may be named 'Lo! country sports,' 'To shorten winter's sadness,' 'In pride of May,' 'Sing we at pleasure,' and 'The nightingale.' An anthem by him, 'Lord, grant the king,' is printed in Barnard's collection; and two others, 'All people clap your hands,' and 'When David heard that Absalom was slain,' are in the Collection of Anthems by Madrigal Composers published by the Musical Antiquarian Society. Eleven anthems more are in Barnard's MS. collections in the Library of the Royal College of Music.
[ W. H. H. ]