John Bartlet (composer) facts for kids
John Bartlet (sometimes spelled Bartlett) was an English Renaissance composer. He was active between about 1606 and 1610. He worked as a musician for Sir Edward Seymour, Earl Hertford. In 1605, Bartlet even went with Earl Hertford on an important trip to Brussels to represent England.
John Bartlet's Music
Bartlet only published one book of music, called A Booke of Ayres with a Triplicitie of Musicke. It came out in 1606. In his book, he called himself a "Gentleman and Practitioner in this art." This meant he was a respected musician and had a connection to a coat of arms, which showed his family's status.
What Was A Booke of Ayres Like?
This music book was divided into three main parts:
- The first part had songs for four voices. These were played with instruments like the lute or orpharion (which are types of stringed instruments) and the viola da gamba (a stringed instrument similar to a cello). The lute part often played the same notes as the four voices.
- The second part had songs for two higher voices, often called "trebles."
- The third part had songs for just one solo voice.
How Popular Was His Music?
A music expert named Peter Warlock once said that some of Bartlet's music was "very commonplace." However, many people thought his musical settings were very good, especially the ones that sounded like madrigals where all the voices sang the same rhythm together. Bartlet's music was quite popular when he was alive. You can find his songs in many old handwritten music books and printed collections from that time.
