John Bennet (composer) facts for kids

John Bennet (born around 1575 – died after 1614) was a talented composer. He was part of the English Madrigal School, a group of musicians famous for writing a type of song called madrigals. We don't know much about Bennet's life, but his first collection of madrigals was published in 1599.

Who Was John Bennet?

John Bennet was an English composer known for his beautiful madrigals. Madrigals are special songs for several voices, usually without instruments. They were very popular during his time.

Bennet's Famous Songs

Some of Bennet's well-known madrigals include "All Creatures Now" and "Weep, O Mine Eyes". The song "Weep, O Mine Eyes" was a special tribute to another famous composer, John Dowland. Bennet used parts of Dowland's most famous piece, "Flow My Tears", in his own song.

Where Did Bennet Come From?

We don't have many records about John Bennet's life. However, he dedicated his first book of madrigals, called These First Fruits of My Simple Skill, to a man named Ralph Assheton in 1599. Ralph Assheton was an important person in the north-west of England. Because of this dedication, many people think Bennet was born in that area, probably around 1575 or 1580.

Bennet's Early Life and Music

John Bennet grew up in a family that had enough money. He likely started learning music as a young boy singing in a choir. By his early twenties, he was already creating music. He released a collection of 17 madrigals for four voices.

Around the same time, Bennet also wrote music for four psalms and a prayer. These were included in a book of psalms published in 1599. Bennet's music was influenced by other composers like Thomas Wilbye, John Weelkes, and John Dowland. But his biggest inspiration was probably Thomas Morley, another well-known English composer.

Bennet's Connections in Society

It seems that John Bennet knew important people in English society. Many of his madrigals were written for special parties and events. These events took place at the royal court or in the homes of rich people in London.

For example, his madrigal "Eliza, her Name Gives Honour" was written for a celebration honoring Queen Elizabeth. At these fancy events, young choirboys from the Chapel Royal often performed Bennet's music.

Bennet's Music Style

John Bennet mainly composed in the English madrigal style. This means he wrote songs for multiple voices, often about love or nature. He also wrote several religious songs for church choirs.

Bennet's music showed a lot of influence from the works of Thomas Morley. However, Bennet didn't just copy other people's music. He was very aware of the newest trends in English madrigal music during his lifetime. He used his knowledge to create his own unique sound.

Bennet's Works

John Bennet wrote many pieces of music. Here are some of his most important works:

Madrigals

His first big collection was Madrigalls to Fovre Voyces (Madrigals for Four Voices), published in London in 1599. It included 17 madrigals:

• I wander up and down
• Weep silly soul disdained (also known as Mourn silly soul disdained)
• So gracious is thy sweet self (also known as So lovely is thy dear self)
• Let go, why do you stay me (also known as My dear, why do you stay)
• Come, shepherds, follow me
• I languish to complain me
• Sing out, ye nymphs (also known as Sing loud, ye nymphs; Shout loud, ye nymphs)
• Thirsis, sleepest thou
• Ye restless thoughts
• When as I glance (also known as When as I looked)
• Cruel unkind my heart thou hast bereft me
• O sleep, O sleep fond fancy
• Weep, O mine eyes (also known as Flow, O my tears)
• Since neither tunes of joy
• O grief, where shall poor grief
• O sweet grief, O sweet sighs
• Rest, now Amphion

Six more madrigals by Bennet were published in a book called A Briefe Discourse in 1614:

• A hunts vp (The hunt is up)
• For the hearne and ducke (also known as Lure, falconers, lure!)
• The Elues Daunce (The Elves' Dance)
• Three Fooles
• The Seruant of his Mistris (The Servant of his Mistress)
• Their Wedlocke

Other madrigals include:

• All creatures now are merry minded, for 5 voices (published in The Triumphs of Oriana, 1601)
• Round about in a fair ring, for 4 voices (published 1614)
• My mistress is as fair as fine, for 4 voices (also known as The Lover to His Mistress)

Consort Songs

These are songs for voices and instruments:

• Eliza, her name gives honour
• Venus' birds

Anthems

Anthems are special songs for church choirs:

• O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands (Psalm 100), for a soloist, choir, and organ
• O God of gods, in 5 parts
• O God O king of kings, in 4 parts
• Thou art, O Lord, my strength and stay (Psalm 28)

Psalms

These were published in a book called The Whole Booke of Psalmes in 1621:

• My soul praise thou the Lord allways (Psalm 146)
• Oft they, now Israel may say (Psalm 129)
• O Lord how joyful is the king (Psalm 21)
• O Lord I put my trust in thee (Psalm 31)
• Thou heard that Israel dost keepe (Psalm 80)