Twelve Good Musicians
“Twelve Good Musicians: From John Bull to Henry Purcell” by Frederick Bridge is a series of biographical sketches that explores the lives of twelve influential English musicians from the late Renaissance to the Baroque era. It covers a period that saw significant developments in English music and provides insight into the individuals who shaped this evolution.
The book starts with John Bull, a notable keyboard player and composer from the Elizabethan era, and continues through the works of Orlando Gibbons and William Byrd. Each musician is portrayed with respect to their contributions to the musical landscape of their time. These musicians, known for their mastery in organ, harpsichord, and choral compositions, were also heavily involved in royal courts, churches, and significant cultural events in England.
As the timeline progresses, the book delves into figures such as Pelham Humfrey, Matthew Locke, and John Blow, showing the shift towards more complex and expressive forms of composition. Henry Purcell, the most famous of the group, is presented as the pinnacle of this transformation, credited with bringing English music to a new height through his operas, anthems, and instrumental works.
Bridge’s writing doesn’t focus solely on their music; he also includes personal anecdotes and details about the musicians’ careers and how they navigated the political and social climates of their times. Through these profiles, the book offers an understanding of how English music evolved and how these twelve figures laid the groundwork for the development of Western classical music.
In sum, Twelve Good Musicians provides a detailed yet approachable look at some of the key players in English music history, with each chapter spotlighting their distinct contributions to the world of music.
