Thomas Robinson (composer) facts for kids

Thomas Robinson (around 1560-1610) was an English composer and music teacher from the Renaissance period. He taught and wrote music for instruments like the lute, cittern, orpharion, bandora, and viol. He also taught singing.

About Thomas Robinson

We don't know much about Thomas Robinson's life. But we can learn things from the introductions in his music books. His family worked for the powerful Cecil family. Thomas worked for Thomas Cecil, the Earl of Exeter. The Cecils supported many artists, including famous composers like William Byrd.

Before 1589, Robinson became a music teacher for Princess Anne of Denmark. She later became Queen of England. He also taught Queen Sophie in Denmark. This suggests he was born around 1560. The Danish court had many musicians from different countries. John Dowland, a very famous lute player, also worked there later. Robinson mentioned his time there, but official records are missing.

In 1603, Robinson released his first book, Medulla Musicke. No copies of this book exist today. Some people even think it was never fully published. But Robinson seemed to mention it in his next book.

Also in 1603, he published The Schoole of Musicke. This book taught people how to play the lute and other instruments. It became the most important lute teaching book in England.

In 1609, his third book, New Citharen Lessons, came out. This book taught people how to play the cittern. It was for both beginners and advanced players.

Most of Robinson's works are his own songs and pieces. But he also arranged other popular music. For example, he arranged "My Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home" and "Can she excuse my wrongs?". Both of these were originally by John Dowland.

There is no information about Robinson's life after 1609.

His Music Books

Medulla Musicke

Medulla Musicke (London, 1603) was a music teaching book. It is now believed to be lost. It might have included 40 canons, which are a type of musical round. These were based on a popular church song called "Miserere."

The Schoole of Musicke

The Schoole of Musicke (London, 1603) was a teaching book. It taught how to play the lute, bandora, orpharion, and viol. It also taught singing.

What's Inside The Schoole of Musicke

• The Queenes good Night (for two lutes)
• Twenty waies upon the bels (for two lutes)
• A Galliard
• A Plaine Song for 2 lutes (for two lutes)
• Grisse his delight
• Passamezzo Galliard (for two lutes)
• A Fantasie for 2 lutes (for two lutes)
• A Toy for 2 lutes (for two lutes)
• Merry Melancholie
• Robinson's Riddle
• Goe from my Window
• Robin is to the greenwood gone
• The Queenes Gigue
• My Lord Willobies Welcome Home
• The Spanish Pavin
• O Lord of whom I do depend

The book also has eight short pieces called "A Psalme." These are in the chapter "Rules to instruct you to sing."

New Citharen Lessons

New Citharen Lessons (London, 1609) was a teaching book for the cittern. It was for both new players and those who were more skilled. It had 53 pieces. The first 47 were for a four-string cittern. Pieces 48 to 53 were for a fourteen-string cittern.

What's Inside New Citharen Lessons

• My Lord Treasurer his Paven
• The Galliard to the Pavin before
• A Fantasie
• O Cupid looke about thee
• For two Citherens in the unison (A Jigge for two Citherens)
• A Ground
• Pipers Galiard
• A Galiard: Can she excuse my wrongs
• Passamezzo Paven
• Oft I have forsworne her company
• An Almaine
• A French Toy
• Excuse me
• Robinson Idelsbie
• The new Hunts up
• Souches March
• Farewell deare love
• The Quadro Pavin
• For two Citharens
• What if a day
• Fantasia

Other Music

Some other pieces by Thomas Robinson are found in old handwritten music books:

• Spanish Pavan (in Add. MS 3056 (Cozens Lute Book), around 1595)
• Hay (in Dd. 9.33, 1600)
• Pipers Galliard Jo Dowland. Tho. Robinson (in Ms. Dd. 4.23)
• Galliard T. R. (in Ms. Dd. 4.23)
• [The Hunt's Up] T: R. (in Ms. Dd. 4.23)