Short bio Michael East
Full biography Michael East
Michael East (c. 1580-1648) was an English composer and organist , known for his contributions to the genres of consort music and madrigals during the Baroque era. He was the nephew of Thomas East, a prominent music publisher in London, which likely gave Michael an early introduction to music and the music publishing industry. Despite his uncle's influence, Michael's early life and musical trainings are largely unknown.
East's compositions were heavily influenced by the Italian Baroque style, which he incorporated into his works while maintaining a distinctly English sound. His madrigals were particularly admired for their intricate polyphonic textures and expressive harmonies. Some of East's most popular pieces include "How Merrily We Live," "All Creatures Now," and "Fair Phyllis."
In addition to his contributions to the madrigal genre, East was also known for his work in consort music, composing pieces for a variety of instrumental ensembles, including viols and keyboard instruments. His most notable work in this genre is his set of eight five-part fantasias for viols, which are considered among the finest examples of consort music from the Baroque period.
Despite his significant contributions to the English Baroque music scene, Michael East remains a relatively unknown composer, overshadowed by more famous contemporaries such as Henry Purcell and William Byrd. Nonetheless, his works continue to be played and studied by Baroque music enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Compositions featuring Michael East
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quick, Quick, Away, Dispatch for 6 voices | 3:13 min | Vocal Music | 1618 |
| 2 | O metaphysical tobacco, for ensemble | 2:56 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 3 | You Meaner Beauties of the Night for 5 voices | 4:22 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 4 | Why are our summer sports so brittle? | 2:37 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 5 | When I Lament, for voices | 2:52 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 6 | When David Heard that Absalon was Slain | 4:28 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 7 | Vixi, fantasy for 5 viols | 3:40 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 8 | Vidi, fantasy for 5 viols | 3:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 9 | Turn Thy Face (Psalm 51), for chorus & viol consort | 3:27 min | Choral | - |
| 10 | Triumphavi, fantasy for 5 viols | 4:08 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 11 | Stay yet a while | 1:31 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 12 | Poor Is the Life, madrigal for 6 voices (The Triumph of Oriana) | 1:26 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 13 | Penitet, fantasy for 5 viols | 3:50 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 14 | Peccavi for brass quintet | 4:06 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 15 | Amavi, fantasy for 5 viols | 6:10 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 16 | O Lord of Whom I Do Depend, for chorus & viol consort | 2:05 min | Choral | - |
| 17 | O Give Me the Comfort of Thy Help Again (Psalm 51), for chorus & viol consort | 3:18 min | Choral | - |
| 18 | O Clap Your Hands (Psalm 47), for chorus & viol consort | 3:24 min | Choral | - |
| 19 | Life Tell Me, for 5 voices | 2:55 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 20 | In the merry month of May, song | 2:31 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 21 | Hence, Stars, Too Dim of Light for 5 voices | 1:49 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 22 | God Is Gone Up (Psalm 47), for chorus & viol consort | 3:25 min | Choral | - |
| 23 | Farewell, Sweet Woods and Mountains, song | 2:47 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 24 | Euterpe, for 3 viols (from Trios for 3 Viols) | 4:04 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 25 | Desperavi for 5 voices | 4:11 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 26 | Credidi, fantasy for 5 viols | 3:46 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 27 | And I as Well as Thou, for 2 viols | 2:04 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Michael East
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Michael East - Fieri Consort, Chelys Consort Of Viols – Amavi - Music For Viols And Voices(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo) | 2020 | BIS |
| 2 |  |
Brade, Byrd, Holborne, Simpson, East, Ferrabosco And Philips - Musica Dolce – Clas Pehrsson – English Consort Music | 1986 | BIS |
| 3 |  |
Dowland / East / Holborne, Musica Reservata, Michael Morrow, Purcell Consort, Grayston Burgess – Metaphysical Tobacco (Songs And Dances By Dowland, East And Holborne) | 1968 | Argo (2) |
Videos featuring Michael East
M. East: Second Set of Madrigals - O Metaphysical Tobacco
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
M. East: Second Set of Madrigals - O Metaphysical Tobacco · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Dowland: First Booke of Songes, 1597 - Arr.for keyboard by William Tisdall - Can She Excuse
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: First Booke of Songes, 1597 - Arr.for keyboard by William Tisdall - Can She Excuse · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
Holborne: Coranto: The Fairie-Round
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Holborne: Coranto: The Fairie-Round · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Released on: 2015-09-
The Tudors:
">Dowland: First Booke of Songes, 1597 - Arr. John Bull for keyboard - If My Complaints (arr.As...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: First Booke of Songes, 1597 - Arr. John Bull for keyboard - If My Complaints (arr.As "Pipers Galliard") · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors:
Dowland: First Booke of Songes, 1597 - 21. Away With These Self-Loving Lads
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: First Booke of Songes, 1597 - 21. Away With These Self-Loving Lads · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Mu
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Released on: 2015-
">Holborne: Coranto "Heigh - Ho Holiday"
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Holborne: Coranto "Heigh - Ho Holiday" · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Released on: 2015-
Dowland: A Pilgrim's Solace (1612) - 20. Welcome Black Night
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: A Pilgrim's Solace (1612) - 20. Welcome Black Night · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limit
Holborne: The Honeysuckle (Heartsease)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Holborne: The Honeysuckle (Heartsease) · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Released on: 2015-
M. East: Fourth Set of Bookes - Weep Not Dear Love
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
M. East: Fourth Set of Bookes - Weep Not Dear Love · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Releas
M. East: Fourth Set of Bookes - Your Shining Eyes
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
M. East: Fourth Set of Bookes - Your Shining Eyes · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Release
Dowland: Lachrimae, 1604 - M. Thomas Collier His Galiard
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: Lachrimae, 1604 - M. Thomas Collier His Galiard · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
M. East: Third Set of Bookes (1610) - Poor Is The Life
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
M. East: Third Set of Bookes (1610) - Poor Is The Life · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
Re
Dowland: A Pilgrim's Solace (1612) - 12. In This Trembling Shadow Cast
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: A Pilgrim's Solace (1612) - 12. In This Trembling Shadow Cast · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music G
Dowland: A Pilgrim's Solace (1612) - 11. Lasso vita mia
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: A Pilgrim's Solace (1612) - 11. Lasso vita mia · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Limited
R
Dowland: Pavan No. V (from Thomas Simpson, Taffel-Consort 1621)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Dowland: Pavan No. V (from Thomas Simpson, Taffel-Consort 1621) · Musica Reservata · Michael Morrow · Purcell Consort Of Voices · Grayston Burgess
The Tudors: Metaphysical Tobacco
℗ 1968 Decca Music Group Li
O metaphysical tobacco
Provided to YouTube by Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
O metaphysical tobacco · Huelgas Ensemble · Michael East
The Art of the Cigar
℗ 2011 Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH
Released on: 2011-05-23
Lyricist: Anonymous
Conductor: Paul Van Nevel
Producer:
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