Giles Farnaby facts for kids

Giles Farnaby (born around 1563 – died November 1640) was an English musician and composer. He lived during a time when music was changing from the old Renaissance style to the newer Baroque style. He is best known for his keyboard music.

The Life of Giles Farnaby

Giles Farnaby was born around 1563. He might have been born in Truro, Cornwall, or near London. His father, Thomas, was a "Citizen and Joiner of London." A joiner is someone who builds things with wood, like furniture or cabinets. Giles also trained as a joiner. He worked in this trade for most of his life.

Giles married Katherine Roane on May 28, 1587. They first lived in London. They had a daughter named Philadelphia in 1591. Later, they had a son, Richard Farnaby (born 1594). After their first daughter passed away, they had three more children: Joy (born 1599), another daughter named Philadelphia (born 1602), and Edward (born 1604).

Even though he was a joiner, Giles went to the University of Oxford. He graduated from Christ Church, Oxford on July 7, 1592. He earned a special degree in music. On the same day, another famous composer, John Bull, also got his music degree. John Bull knew Farnaby and greatly influenced his music.

In 1602, the Farnaby family moved to Aisthorpe in Lincolnshire. They stayed there until at least 1610. Giles worked for Sir Nicholas Saunderson. He taught music to Sir Nicholas's children. By 1614, the Farnabys were back in London. Giles Farnaby passed away in 1640 and was buried on November 25.

Giles Farnaby's Music

Farnaby is considered one of the most important English virginalists. A virginalist is a composer who writes music for the virginal. The virginal is a type of keyboard instrument, similar to a small harpsichord. Other famous virginalists included William Byrd and John Bull. Unlike most of them, Farnaby was not a full-time professional musician.

Most of his famous works are found in a collection called the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. This book contains 51 of his 52 surviving pieces. Some of his well-known works include 11 fantasias. A fantasia is a piece of music that sounds like it's made up on the spot. He also wrote a challenging piece called Woody-Cock.

Farnaby also wrote charming, shorter pieces. These include Giles Farnabys Dreame, His Rest, Farnabyes Conceit, and His Humour. His son, Richard, also has four pieces in the collection. Besides keyboard music, Giles Farnaby also wrote madrigals (songs for several voices), canzonets, and psalms.

Music Inspired by Farnaby

Many musicians have used Giles Farnaby's music as inspiration:

• Edmund Rubbra (1901—1986) wrote five improvisations based on Farnaby's virginal pieces.
• In 1969, The London Jazz Four (also known as LJ IV) released a jazz album. It included jazz versions of two of Farnaby's songs: "The Old Spagnoletta" and "Bony Sweet Robin."
• In 1970, a piece called "Giles Farnaby Suite" was published. It was arranged for a symphonic band by Gordon Jacob. This suite includes 11 of Farnaby's compositions, like "Fantasia," "The Old Spagnoletta," and "Tower Hill."
• In 1973, an album called Giles Farnaby's Dream Band was released. It featured a special group of early music ensembles and jazz musicians.
• The Penguin Cafe Orchestra released a song in 1976 called Giles Farnaby's Dream. This song was based on Farnaby's original piece Giles Farnaby's Dreame.

See also

In Spanish: Giles Farnaby para niños