Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1580

Death

:

March, 1630

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Richard Dering was a prominent English composer of the seventeenth century, known for his contributions to the development of sacred music. He was born in 1580 in the town of East Grimstead, Wiltshire, England, to a family of musicians. His father, Henry Dering, was a musician and composer, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a singer. Richard Dering grew up in a musical environment and showed an early interest in music. Richard Dering received his early education at Winchester College, where he was a chorister. He later attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied music and became a member of the choir. He was a talented musician and composer, and his works were well received by his contemporaries. In 1607, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, where he served as a singer and composer. Dering's early works were mainly secular, and he composed music for various occasions, including masques, plays, and courtly entertainments. However, he is best known for his contributions to sacred music. He composed a large number of anthems, motets, and other sacred works, which were performed in churches and cathedrals throughout England. One of Dering's most famous works is his setting of the Magnificat, which is a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary. His Magnificat is a beautiful and complex piece of music, with intricate harmonies and counterpoint. It was widely performed during his lifetime and remains a popular piece of music today. Dering's other notable works include his setting of the Nunc Dimittis, which is a hymn of thanksgiving, and his setting of the Te Deum, which is a hymn of praise. He also composed a number of anthems, including "Factum est silentium," "O Lord, the Maker of all things," and "Hear my prayer, O Lord." Dering's music was highly regarded during his lifetime, and he was considered one of the leading composers of his time. His works were performed in churches and cathedrals throughout England, and he was often commissioned to compose music for special occasions. He was also a respected music teacher, and many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Despite his success as a composer, Dering's life was not without its challenges. He was a Catholic in a time when Catholicism was outlawed in England, and he faced persecution for his religious beliefs. He was arrested several times for his Catholicism, and he spent time in prison. However, he continued to compose music throughout his life, and his works remain an important part of the English choral tradition. Richard Dering died in 1630, at the age of 50. He left behind a legacy of beautiful and inspiring music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed today. His contributions to the development of sacred music in England were significant, and his works remain an important part of the English choral tradition.

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