Thomas Weelkes (1576–1623) was an English composer and organist of the Rena… Read Full Bio ↴Thomas Weelkes (1576–1623) was an English composer and organist of the Renaissance period. He became organist of Winchester College in 1598, moving to Chichester Cathedral. His works are chiefly vocal, and include madrigals, anthems and services.
Thomas Weelkes was baptised in the little village church of Elsted in Sussex on 25 October 1576. It has been suggested that his father was John Weeke, rector of Elsted, although there is no documentary evidence of the relationship. In 1597 his first volume of madrigals was published, the preface noting that he was a very young man when they were written; this helps to fix the date of his birth to somewhere in the middle of the 1570s. Early in his life he was in service at the house of the courtier Edward Darcye. At the end of 1598, at the probable age of 22, Weelkes was appointed organist at Winchester College, where he remained for two or three years, receiving the salary of 13s 4d per quarter. His remuneration included board and lodging.
During his Winchester period, Weelkes composed a further two volumes of madrigals (1598, 1600). He obtained his B. Mus. Degree from New College, Oxford in 1602, and moved to Chichester to take up the position of organist and informator choristarum (instructor of the choristers) at the Cathedral at some time between October 1601 and October 1602. He was also given a lay clerkship at the Cathedral, being paid £15 2s 4d annually alongside his board, lodging and other amenities. The following year he married Elizabeth Sandham, from a wealthy local family. They had three children and it was rumoured that Elizabeth was already pregnant at the time of the marriage.
Weelkes' fourth and final volume of madrigals, published in 1608, carries a title page where he refers to himself as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal; however, records at the Chapel Royal itself do not mention him, so at most he could only have been a Gentleman Extraordinary, one of those who were asked to stand in until a permanent replacement was found.
Weelkes was later to find himself in trouble with the Chichester Cathedral authorities for his heavy drinking and immoderate behavior. In 1609 he was charged with unauthorized absence, but no mention of drunken behavior is made until 1613, and J. Shepherd, a Weelkes scholar, has suggested caution in assuming that his decline began before this date. In 1616 he was reported to the Bishop for being ‘noted and famed for a comon drunckard (sic) and notorious swearer & blasphemer’. The Dean and Chapter dismissed him for being drunk at the organ and using bad language during divine service. He was however reinstated and remained in the post until his death, although his behavior did not improve...
In 1622 Elizabeth Weelkes died. Thomas Weelkes was, by this time, reinstated at Chichester Cathedral, but appeared to be spending a great deal of time in London. He died in London in 1623, in the house of a friend, and was buried on 1 December, 1623 at St Bride's Fleet Street. Weelkes' will, made the day before he died at the house of his friend Henry Drinkwater of St Bride's parish, left his estate to be shared between his three children, with a large 50s legacy left to Drinkwater for his meat, drink and lodging.
In Chichester Cathedral there is a memorial stone with the following inscription:
REMEMBER
IN THE LORD
THOMAS WEELKES
THE GREAT ELIZABETHAN
COMPOSER, ORGANIST OF
WINCHESTER COLLEGE
1598 AND OF THIS
CATHEDRAL CHURCH
FROM 1602 UNTIL HIS DEATH
He died on 30 November 1623
And was buried at St. Bride's
Church. Fleet Street. London
See also:
List of compositions by Thomas Weelkes
Thomas Weelkes was baptised in the little village church of Elsted in Sussex on 25 October 1576. It has been suggested that his father was John Weeke, rector of Elsted, although there is no documentary evidence of the relationship. In 1597 his first volume of madrigals was published, the preface noting that he was a very young man when they were written; this helps to fix the date of his birth to somewhere in the middle of the 1570s. Early in his life he was in service at the house of the courtier Edward Darcye. At the end of 1598, at the probable age of 22, Weelkes was appointed organist at Winchester College, where he remained for two or three years, receiving the salary of 13s 4d per quarter. His remuneration included board and lodging.
During his Winchester period, Weelkes composed a further two volumes of madrigals (1598, 1600). He obtained his B. Mus. Degree from New College, Oxford in 1602, and moved to Chichester to take up the position of organist and informator choristarum (instructor of the choristers) at the Cathedral at some time between October 1601 and October 1602. He was also given a lay clerkship at the Cathedral, being paid £15 2s 4d annually alongside his board, lodging and other amenities. The following year he married Elizabeth Sandham, from a wealthy local family. They had three children and it was rumoured that Elizabeth was already pregnant at the time of the marriage.
Weelkes' fourth and final volume of madrigals, published in 1608, carries a title page where he refers to himself as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal; however, records at the Chapel Royal itself do not mention him, so at most he could only have been a Gentleman Extraordinary, one of those who were asked to stand in until a permanent replacement was found.
Weelkes was later to find himself in trouble with the Chichester Cathedral authorities for his heavy drinking and immoderate behavior. In 1609 he was charged with unauthorized absence, but no mention of drunken behavior is made until 1613, and J. Shepherd, a Weelkes scholar, has suggested caution in assuming that his decline began before this date. In 1616 he was reported to the Bishop for being ‘noted and famed for a comon drunckard (sic) and notorious swearer & blasphemer’. The Dean and Chapter dismissed him for being drunk at the organ and using bad language during divine service. He was however reinstated and remained in the post until his death, although his behavior did not improve...
In 1622 Elizabeth Weelkes died. Thomas Weelkes was, by this time, reinstated at Chichester Cathedral, but appeared to be spending a great deal of time in London. He died in London in 1623, in the house of a friend, and was buried on 1 December, 1623 at St Bride's Fleet Street. Weelkes' will, made the day before he died at the house of his friend Henry Drinkwater of St Bride's parish, left his estate to be shared between his three children, with a large 50s legacy left to Drinkwater for his meat, drink and lodging.
In Chichester Cathedral there is a memorial stone with the following inscription:
REMEMBER
IN THE LORD
THOMAS WEELKES
THE GREAT ELIZABETHAN
COMPOSER, ORGANIST OF
WINCHESTER COLLEGE
1598 AND OF THIS
CATHEDRAL CHURCH
FROM 1602 UNTIL HIS DEATH
He died on 30 November 1623
And was buried at St. Bride's
Church. Fleet Street. London
See also:
List of compositions by Thomas Weelkes
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Gloria in excelsis deo
Thomas Weelkes Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Gloria in excelsis deo' by these artists:
Andrea Bocelli Ya resuena melodiosa la Angélica legión con la nueva venturo…
Arautos do Evangelho Glória in excélsis Deo Et in terra pax homínibus bonae volun…
Coro Arquidiocesano de Santa Fé De la Vera Cruz Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus bonae volun…
Countdown Orchestra And Singers Les anges dans nos campagnes Ont entonné l'hymne des cieux E…
Die Priester Engel auf den Feldern singen Stimmen an ein himmlisch Lied U…
Helmut Lotti Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria in excelsis Deo Les anges dans…
Herman Van Veen Engelkens door het luchtruim zwevend Zongen zo blij, zo wond…
Kölner Jugendchor St. Stephan GLORIA Gloria in excelsis Deo…
Lewis Ross Yeah, right. Did you hear about my baby? She come…
Maurice André & Jane Parker-Smith Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine Meltin' in a…
NaiKavols Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria Gloria, glori…
Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Gloria, Gloria Gloria, Gloria In excelsis deo In excelsis d…
New Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra; Otto Klemperer Gloria gloria Gloria gloria In excelsis Deo In excelsis Deo …
Patti Smith Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine Meltin' in a…
Quoeur Regional Vittoria d'Ile-de-France; Orchestre de la Cite (Michel Piquemal) Gloria, cantan los querubes En los campos de belén Vieron qu…
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra And Chorus Gloria, Gloria Gloria, Gloria In excelsis deo In excelsis d…
Rundfunk Jugendchor Wernigerode Hört, wir singen Jubellieder Hört, welch ein Wunder heut ges…
Schwarzmeer Kosaken-Chor Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae volu…
Sydney Philharmonia Motet Choir & Orchestra Gloria gloria Gloria gloria In excelsis Deo In excelsis Deo …
Taizé Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus bonæ volunt…
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus Gloria, Gloria Gloria, Gloria In excelsis deo In excelsis d…
Villancicos de Navidad y Canciones de Navidad Angeles en las alturas Con sus voces de cristal Van cantando…
Vmsix Gloria in Excelsis Deo Angels we have heard on high Sweetly…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Thomas Weelkes:
As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending, She spied a maiden…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
Margie Lyons
Thank you so much for uploading this. It is extremely beautiful and it helps one to learn to sing it properly, with this excellent score and choir. 🎵
MrGer2295
SO BEAUTIFUL ! MANY THANKS @Тахонов Иван ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥