Michael East (composer)
Encyclopedia
Michael East (c. 1580 – 1648) was an English organist and composer. He was a nephew of London music publisher Thomas East (c. 1540–1608), although, once it was thought that he was his son.
In 1601, East wrote a madrigal which was accepted by Thomas Morley
for publication in his collection The Triumphs of Oriana
. In 1606, he received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cambridge
and in 1609 he joined the choir of Ely Cathedral
, initially as a lay clerk. By 1618 he was employed by Lichfield Cathedral
, where he worked as a choirmaster, probably until 1644, when the Civil War
brought an end to sung services. Elias Ashmole
was a chorister at Lichfield, and later recalled that "Mr Michael East … was my tutor for song and Mr Henry Hinde, organist of the Cathedral … taught me on the virginals and organ".
East's exact date of death is not known, but he died at Lichfield
. His will was written on 7 January 1648 and proved on 9 May 1648. It mentions his wife Dorothy, daughter Mary Hamersly, and a son and grandson both named Michael.
His most highly-regarded works are his five-part fantasies for viols
: Thurston Dart
is quoted as saying, "despite some slipshod part-writing, they are among the best five-part consorts of the time".
In 1601, East wrote a madrigal which was accepted by Thomas Morley
Thomas Morley
Thomas Morley was an English composer, theorist, editor and organist of the Renaissance, and the foremost member of the English Madrigal School. He was the most famous composer of secular music in Elizabethan England and an organist at St Paul's Cathedral...
for publication in his collection The Triumphs of Oriana
The Triumphs of Oriana
The Triumphs of Oriana is a book of English madrigals, compiled and published in 1601 by Thomas Morley, which first edition has 25 pieces by 23 composers . It was said to have been made in the honour of Queen Elizabeth I...
. In 1606, he received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and in 1609 he joined the choir of Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon...
, initially as a lay clerk. By 1618 he was employed by Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. The Diocese of Lichfield covers all of Staffordshire, much of Shropshire and part of the Black Country and West Midlands...
, where he worked as a choirmaster, probably until 1644, when the Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
brought an end to sung services. Elias Ashmole
Elias Ashmole
Elias Ashmole was a celebrated English antiquary, politician, officer of arms, astrologer and student of alchemy. Ashmole supported the royalist side during the English Civil War, and at the restoration of Charles II he was rewarded with several lucrative offices.Ashmole was an antiquary with a...
was a chorister at Lichfield, and later recalled that "Mr Michael East … was my tutor for song and Mr Henry Hinde, organist of the Cathedral … taught me on the virginals and organ".
East's exact date of death is not known, but he died at Lichfield
Lichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
. His will was written on 7 January 1648 and proved on 9 May 1648. It mentions his wife Dorothy, daughter Mary Hamersly, and a son and grandson both named Michael.
His most highly-regarded works are his five-part fantasies for viols
Viol
The viol is any one of a family of bowed, fretted and stringed musical instruments developed in the mid-late 15th century and used primarily in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The family is related to and descends primarily from the Renaissance vihuela, a plucked instrument that preceded the...
: Thurston Dart
Thurston Dart
Robert Thurston Dart , was a British musicologist, conductor and keyboard player. From 1964 he was Professor of Music at King's College London....
is quoted as saying, "despite some slipshod part-writing, they are among the best five-part consorts of the time".
Works
East was one of the most published composers of his era: he published seven groups of compositions:- Groups 1 and 2: madrigals for three and five voices
- Groups 3 and 4: anthems, madrigals, pastorales, napolitans and fancies for four to six voices (including instrumental fancies for viol consort)
- Group 5: twenty three-part pieces viol
- Group 6: anthems and sacred consort songs for five and six voices, together with a setting of a poem by Sir Henry Wotton, honouring Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James IJames I of EnglandJames VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
. - Group 7: viol works for two to four voices