Anthony Holborne

Anthony Holborne (* 1545, † November 29, 1602 in London) was an English composer of consort music in the time of Queen Elizabeth I.

Life

Holborne 1562 began his studies at the University of Cambridge. 1565 he was admitted to the Inner Temple Court. On June 14, 1584 Holborne married Elisabeth Marten. On the title page of his two books he claims to stand in the service of Elizabeth I.. He died in November 1602 of a " cold ".

From his contemporaries he learned the highest esteem as a composer. John Dowland dedicated to him the very first song I saw my lady weepe in his Second Booke of Songs or Ayres. His patron was the Countess of Pembroke, Mary Sidney.

His brother was William Holborne, who composed also. Six of Williams madrigals are included in Anthony Holbornes Cittarn Schoole.

Work

Holbornes earliest known work is the Cittarn Schoole of 1597, consisting of compositions for the cittern. The preface indicates that the compositions over a period of several years emerged. Holborne writes that musical compositions were " the premature fruits of my youth, begotten in the infant and child of my low skill ".

The work Pavans, Galliards, Almains and other short Aeirs, Both grave and light, in five parts, for Viols, Violins or other Music_Major winds Instruments ( pavan, galliard, allemandes and other short songs, both moody and easily to five votes, for violas, violins or woodwinds ) was published in 1599 and consists of 65 of his own compositions. It is the largest surviving collection of its kind Most compositions are pairs of pavan and galliard. Other pieces are written in the style of the Allemande. The remainder are unclassified.