Weelkes, Thomas, c.1575–1623, English composer. His four books of madrigals (1597–1600) mark Weelkes as one of the great English madrigalists. His music is remarkable for melodic characterization and innovative use of chromatic harmonic progressions. The Triumphs of Oriana contains his popular "As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending." In 1602, Weelkes became organist of Chichester Cathedral. Of his 10 church services that survive in fragments, all are of interest for their original treatment of the liturgy. He also wrote anthems and a few instrumental works.

Bibliography

See study by D. Brown (1969).

Weelkes, Thomas

(baptized Oct. 25, 1576, Elsted, Sussex?, Eng.—died Nov. 30, 1623, London) British composer and organist. He published his first book of madrigals in 1597 and was appointed organist at Winchester College the following year. His next two books of madrigals, his greatest, were soon published (1598, 1600), and a final volume was published in 1608. Weelkes is noted for his word painting, lively rhythms, and highly developed sense of form and structure.