Thomas Tomkins facts for kids
Thomas Tomkins (born 1572 – died June 9, 1656) was a talented composer from Wales. He lived during the late Tudor and early Stuart periods in England. Tomkins was a key member of the English Madrigal School, known for writing beautiful songs. He was also very skilled at composing music for keyboard instruments and groups of instruments. He was the last important composer of the English virginalist school, which focused on music for the virginal, a type of harpsichord.
About His Life
Tomkins was born in St David's, Wales, in 1572. His father, also named Thomas, was an organist and singer at St David's Cathedral. Many of Thomas junior's half-brothers also became musicians. However, none became as famous as Thomas.
Around 1594, Thomas and his family moved to Gloucester. His father worked at Gloucester Cathedral. Thomas likely studied music with the famous composer William Byrd. One of Tomkins' songs even says it's for his "much reverenced Master, William Byrd." This suggests Byrd was his teacher. It's also possible Byrd helped him become a choirboy in the Chapel Royal. In 1607, Tomkins earned a music degree from Magdalen College, Oxford.
In 1596, Tomkins became the organist at Worcester Cathedral. The next year, he married Alice Patrick. She was a widow whose first husband had been the organist before Tomkins. Their only son, Nathaniel, was born in Worcester in 1599. Nathaniel also became a respected musician.
Tomkins knew another famous composer, Thomas Morley. Morley was also a student of William Byrd. Tomkins owned a copy of Morley's music book, filled with his own notes. In 1601, Morley even included one of Tomkins' madrigals in his important collection called The Triumphs of Oriana.
In 1612, Tomkins helped build a grand new organ at Worcester Cathedral. It was made by Thomas Dallam, the best organ-builder of that time. Tomkins kept writing church songs called anthems. His collection of 28 madrigals, Songs of 3, 4, 5 and 6 parts, was published in 1622. His half-brother John, who was also a famous organist, wrote a poem for the book.
Around 1603, Thomas was given an honorary position in the Chapel Royal. This was a group of musicians who served the King. In 1621, he became a full member and organist, working with his friend Orlando Gibbons. This job meant he often traveled between Worcester and London until about 1639.
When King James I died in 1625, Tomkins had to help with the music for his funeral. He also had to prepare music for the coronation of King Charles I. These were huge tasks. Sadly, Orlando Gibbons died during this busy time, putting more pressure on Tomkins. Luckily, the coronation was delayed due to a plague. This gave Tomkins time to compose most of the eight anthems sung at the ceremony.
In 1628, Tomkins was named "Composer of the King's Music." This was a very high honor for an English musician. However, the title was quickly taken away. It had been promised to the son of the previous composer. This was just one of many difficulties Tomkins faced later in his life. He continued his duties in Worcester and London until 1639.
Tomkins' wife, Alice, died in 1642. This was the same year the English Civil War began. Worcester was badly affected. The cathedral was damaged, and Tomkins' organ was broken by the Parliamentarian soldiers. The next year, his house was hit by a cannonball. It became unlivable, and many of his belongings and music papers were destroyed. Around this time, Tomkins married his second wife, Martha Browne.
More fighting and a siege in 1646 caused great damage to Worcester. With the choir disbanded and the cathedral closed, Tomkins focused on writing keyboard and consort music. He wrote sad tributes for important people who had died. In 1649, after King Charles I was executed, Tomkins, who supported the King, wrote his famous Sad Pavan: for these distracted times.
His second wife, Martha, died around 1653. Tomkins, now 81, faced money problems. In 1654, his son Nathaniel married a wealthy widow named Isabella Folliott. Thomas went to live with them. He showed his thanks by composing a piece called Galliard, The Lady Folliot's for her. Two years later, he died on June 9, 1656. He was buried in the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels in Martin Hussingtree.
His Music
Tomkins wrote and published many types of music. These included madrigals, which are songs for several voices. One famous madrigal is The Fauns and Satyrs Tripping. He also wrote 76 pieces for keyboard instruments like the organ and virginal. He composed music for groups of instruments (consort music) and many anthems and church music.
His style was quite old-fashioned for his time. He didn't use the new Baroque music styles that were becoming popular. He also didn't write in many popular forms like lute songs. His music often sounded like the older Renaissance style. Some of his madrigals are very emotional. They use musical techniques to describe the words, similar to Italian composers.
Tomkins wrote a lot of church music. He composed more anthems than almost any other English composer of the 1600s. Many of his church works were copied and used in other places. His son Nathaniel made sure his music was saved. After Tomkins died, Nathaniel published a large collection called Musica Deo Sacra in 1668. This book contains five church services, five psalm tunes, and ninety-four anthems. It helped keep Tomkins' music alive for future generations.
