Short bio Martin Peerson
Full biography Martin Peerson
Martin Peerson was an English composer, organist, and virginalist who lived from 1571 to 1651. He was an important figure in early English classical music, and his works were known for their highly individual voice. Peerson is believed to have been born in the town of Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire, England. He served as an organist at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and he held positions at several other churches in the city as well.
Peerson is best known for his compositions for the virginals, a keyboard instrument popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. His works for this instrument are characterized by their inventive harmonies, complex rhythms, and colorful textures. His most famous piece is likely "The Fall of the Leafe," a descriptive work that portrays the changing of the seasons.
Peerson's music was played by many leading musicians of his day, including the famous virginalist William Byrd. He was also known to have been familiar with Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Fulke Greville, two prominent figures in English intellectual and literary circles.
Despite his importance as a composer and musician, Peerson's life is relatively undocumented, and many details about his career and personal life are still unknown. Nevertheless, his music continues to be performed and recorded today, and his contributions to early English classical music are widely recognized and celebrated.
Compositions featuring Martin Peerson
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redemptor mundi, psalm-tune harmonization | 3:59 min | Choral | 1621 |
| 2 | Mottects or Grave Chamber Musique, songs for 5 voices, viol consort & organ | 72:27 min | Vocal Music | 1609 |
| 3 | The Fall of the Leafe, for harpsichord, P6/3 (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, No. 272) | 1:57 min | Keyboard | 1600 |
| 4 | Pater fili paraclete | 3:36 min | Choral | - |
| 5 | Man, dream no more (from Mottects, 1630) | 4:40 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 6 | Most Glorious Lord of Life | 2:29 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 7 | Mulieres sedentes | 4:08 min | Choral | - |
| 8 | Multa flagella peccatoris | 3:09 min | Choral | - |
| 9 | Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus | 2:37 min | Choral | - |
| 10 | Now, Robin, laugh and sing (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 2:21 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 11 | O domine Jesu Christe | 6:00 min | Choral | - |
| 12 | O God, that no time dost despise (from Teares or Lamentations, 1614) | 4:12 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 13 | O God, when thou wentest | 4:38 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 14 | O let me at thy footstool fall (from Teares or Lamentations, 1614) | 2:38 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 15 | O precious time (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 1:28 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 16 | O rex gloriae | 4:45 min | Choral | - |
| 17 | Open the door (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 2:24 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 18 | Lord, ever bridle my desires (from Teares or Lamentations, 1614) | 3:14 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 19 | Piper's Pavan, for keyboard, P6/2 (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, No. 182) | 4:52 min | Keyboard | - |
| 20 | Psalm 134 (Southwell Tune), sacred song for 4 voices | 1:22 min | Choral | - |
| 21 | Quid vobis videtur de Christo | 6:06 min | Choral | - |
| 22 | Resolved to love (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 2:20 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 23 | See, O see who is here come a-maying (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 1:41 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 24 | Self-pity's tears (from Mottects, 1630) | 3:53 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 25 | Sing, love is blind (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 1:48 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 26 | The Primrose, for keyboard, P6/4 (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, No. 271) | 1:40 min | Keyboard | - |
| 27 | Upon My Lap | 4:06 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 28 | Upon my lap my sovereign sits (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 7:15 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 29 | Who will rise up with me?, sacred song for 5 voices | 4:06 min | Choral | - |
| 30 | Chowse, fantasia à 6 in D major and minor, P3/6 | 3:13 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 31 | Ah, were she pitiful (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 1:44 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 32 | Almaine à 6 in D major, P3/11 | 1:25 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 33 | Almaine à 6 in G major, P3/5 | 0:34 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 34 | Almaine à 6 in G major, P3/7 | 1:11 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 35 | Almaine à 6 in G major, P3/9 | 1:11 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 36 | Almaine à 6 in G major, P3/13 | 0:59 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 37 | Almaine à 6 in G major, P3/14 | 1:05 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 38 | Almaine à 6 in G minor, P3/3 | 0:55 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 39 | Alman, P6/1 | 1:20 min | Keyboard | - |
| 40 | At her fair hands (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 2:27 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 41 | Attendite, fantasia à 5, P3/1 | 4:19 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 42 | Beauty, fantasia à 6 in G major, P3/4 | 4:28 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 43 | Blow out the trumpet | 2:38 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 44 | Acquaintance, fantasia à 6 in G minor, P3/2 | 2:29 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 45 | Christus factus est | 3:33 min | Choral | - |
| 46 | Delicate, fantasia à 6 in D minor, P3/8 | 4:03 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 47 | Deus omnipotens | 4:33 min | Choral | - |
| 48 | Ecce non dormitabit | 4:05 min | Choral | - |
| 49 | Fantasia à 6 in D minor, P3/10 | 3:26 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 50 | Fantasia à 6 in D minor, P6/15 | 4:04 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 51 | Fantasia à 6 in G major, P3/12 | 3:56 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 52 | Hey, the horn, the horn-a (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 1:08 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 53 | Hora nona dominus Jesus | 4:21 min | Choral | - |
| 54 | Laboravi in gemitu meo | 5:30 min | Choral | - |
| 55 | Latus eius lancea miles perforavit | 3:23 min | Choral | - |
| 56 | Levavi oculos meos in montes | 5:39 min | Choral | - |
| 57 | Lock up, fair lids (from Private Musicke, 1620) | 3:39 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
Albums featuring Martin Peerson
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Byrd, Gibbons, Holborne, Peerson, Weelkes, Fretwork, Helen Charlston – An Elizabethan Christmas | 2021 | Signum Classics |
| 2 |  |
Martin Peerson, I Fagiolini, Fretwork, James Johnstone (3) – A Treatie Of Humane Love: Mottects Or Grave Chamber Music(CD, ) | 2017 | Regent Records |
| 3 |  |
Marco Vitale , Works By William Byrd, Jan Pietersz. Sweelinck, Martin Peerson – Ruckers 1604(CD, Album) | 2014 | Ayros |
| 4 |  |
John Milton (2) and Martin Peerson - Fretwork, Michael Chance, Sophie Yates – Sublime Discourses: The Complete Instrumental Music(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2011 | Regent Records |
| 5 |  |
John Milton (2), Martin Peerson, The Chapel Choir Of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Sarah MacDonald (3) – A Candle To The Glorious Sun (Sacred Songs By John Milton And Martin Peerson)(CD, Album) | 2008 | Regent Records |
| 6 |  |
Peerson / Ex Cathedra Consort, Jeffrey Skidmore – Latin Motets(CD, Album) | 2005 | Hyperion |
| 7 |  |
William Byrd, John Munday & Martin Peerson, Silvia Kind – English Tone Paintings Toccatas And Dances | 1969 | Turnabout |
| 8 |  |
Thomas Morley, William Byrd, Martin Peerson, Peter Philips, Giles Farnaby, John Bull, The Ambrosian Consort Director Denis Stevens Harpsichord Valda Aveling – Nine Canzonets And Music From The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1969 | Musical Heritage Society |
| 9 |  |
Martin Peerson, Wren Baroque Soloists – Private Musicke - Motets, Anthems And Airs(CD, ) | - | Collins Classics |
Videos featuring Martin Peerson
Silvia Kind (harpsichord) English tone paintings, toccatas and dances
Silvia Kind: Neupert harpsichord
Instrument not mentioned in the documentation.
Released 1968 by Turnabout Vox, New York 34200 (London release 1969)
Thanks to Daniël, who let me browse the famous Daniël Beuman harpsichord collection
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