Thomas Weelkes (c.1576-1623)
Musical period: Late Renaissance/Early Baroque
Style: English Madrigal School, Sacred choral
Fun Facts: Thomas Weelkes is known for his madrigals, but he also composed sacred anthems and motets, and a very little consort music. His madrigals use heavy word painting, some interesting rhythmic patterns, and (sometimes starling) chromaticism.
For your listening pleasure: In 1601, our old friend Thomas Morley compiled a special collection of madrigals in honor of Elizabeth I. Weelkes’ contribution, As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill Descending, provided plenty of opportunity for (not so subtle) word painting as various mythological figures traipse up and down a hill. The character Oriana (the code name for Elizabeth) ends up on top of the hill being adored by Diana’s attendants. Enjoy The King’s Singers performing this fun madrigal by Weelkes:
Score: http://www1.cpdl.org/wiki/images/d/da/003.pdf
As an example of Weelkes’ church music, here is his motet When David Heard. It is more dissonant than Tomkins’ setting of the same text, and uses rhythms and rests to increase tension in the piece.
Score: http://www2.cpdl.org/wiki/images/sheet/weel-whe.pdf
