George Kirbye

Full biography George Kirbye

George Kirbye (c. 1565 – buried 6 October 1634) was an English composer of the late Tudor period and early Jacobean era. He was born in Norden, Norfolk, and educated at Christ Church, Oxford. His works include madrigals, psalm settings, and hymns.

Kirbye was a contemporary of other notable English composers such as Thomas Tallis and William Byrd, but he is less well-known than they are. Nonetheless, his compositions are regarded as among the finest of the period. He is particularly noted for his madrigals, which show a sophisticated use of harmony and counterpoint. His Psalm Settings for Este's Psalter in 1592 were also highly regarded in his time.

Kirbye's compositions demonstrate a mastery of the musical language of his day, and he was highly regarded by his peers. He was one of the members of the English Madrigal School, a group of composers who wrote madrigals in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His style was evidently influenced by the Italian madrigal, but he also employed traditional English techniques such as the use of cross relations.

Kirbye's works are still performed and studied today, and they continue to be admired for their beauty and complexity.