John Bull (1562 or 1563 – 1628) was an English
composer, musician and organ builder. He was a renowned
keyboard performer of the virginalist school and most
of his compositions were written for this medium. Bull
was one of the most famous composers of keyboard music
of the early 17th century, exceeded only by Sweelinck
in the Netherlands, Frescobaldi in Italy, and, some
would say, by his countryman and elder, the celebrated
William Byrd. He left many compositions for keyboard,
some of which we...(+)
John Bull (1562 or 1563 – 1628) was an English
composer, musician and organ builder. He was a renowned
keyboard performer of the virginalist school and most
of his compositions were written for this medium. Bull
was one of the most famous composers of keyboard music
of the early 17th century, exceeded only by Sweelinck
in the Netherlands, Frescobaldi in Italy, and, some
would say, by his countryman and elder, the celebrated
William Byrd. He left many compositions for keyboard,
some of which were collected in the Fitzwilliam
Virginal Book. In 1615 Antwerp Cathedral appointed him
as assistant organist, and as principal organist in
1617. Bull wrote a series of letters while in Flanders,
including one to the mayor of Antwerp, claiming that
the reason he left England was to escape religious
persecution.
Rondo and its French part-equivalent rondeau are words
that have been used in music in a number of ways, most
often in reference to a musical form, but also to a
character type that is distinct from the form. The term
and formal principle may have derived from the medieval
poetic form, rondeau, which contains repetitions of a
couplet separated by longer sections of poetry. In
rondo form, a principal theme (sometimes called the
"refrain") alternates with one or more contrasting
themes, generally called "episodes," but also
occasionally referred to as "digressions" or
"couplets." Possible patterns in the Classical period
include: ABA, ABACA, or ABACABA. The number of themes
can vary from piece to piece, and the recurring element
is sometimes embellished and/or shortened in order to
provide for variation.
The Rondo in G Major was written by Bull in the late
Renaissance and early Baroque eras and although
originally written for Pipe Organ, I created this
arrangement for Flutes (2) & Strings (Violins (2),
Viola, Cello & Bass).
