Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1572 in Lambs, Cambridgeshire, England

Death

:

January 15, 1651 in London, England

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Keyboard

 

Martin Peerson was a prominent English composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He was born in 1572 in the town of Beccles, Suffolk, England. Not much is known about his early life, but it is believed that he received his musical education at the University of Cambridge. Peerson’s career as a musician began in the early 1600s when he was appointed as the organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. He held this position until 1604, after which he became the organist at the Chapel Royal. During his time at the Chapel Royal, Peerson composed a number of works for the royal court, including anthems, motets, and instrumental pieces. One of Peerson’s most notable works is his collection of keyboard music, titled “Private Musicke.” This collection was published in 1620 and contains a variety of pieces for keyboard instruments, including preludes, fantasias, and dances. The collection is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which were relatively new techniques at the time. Peerson was also known for his vocal music, particularly his madrigals. His madrigals are characterized by their expressive harmonies and use of word painting, which involves setting the music to reflect the meaning of the text. One of his most famous madrigals is “Upon my lap my sovereign sits,” which is a setting of a poem by Sir Walter Raleigh. In addition to his work as a composer, Peerson was also a skilled performer. He was known for his ability to improvise on the keyboard, and his performances were highly regarded by his contemporaries. He was also a respected teacher, and his students included the composer John Tomkins. Despite his success as a musician, Peerson’s life was not without its challenges. He was a Catholic in a time when Catholicism was outlawed in England, and he was forced to practice his faith in secret. He also suffered from financial difficulties throughout his life, and he was often forced to rely on the patronage of wealthy individuals to support his work. Peerson died in 1651, and his music fell into obscurity for many years. However, in the 20th century, his work began to be rediscovered and appreciated by modern audiences. Today, he is recognized as one of the most important English composers of the early Baroque period, and his music continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world.

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