Personalities | William Lawes | Early Baroque | Classical

1602–45
English composer

William Lawes, like his brother Henry Lawes, was a musician at the court of the English King Charles I. Although he too composed songs and theatre music, his greater strength lay in consort music for viols or members of the violin family and it is for these that he is best remembered. Lawes’ consort music in four, five and six parts probably dates from the 1620s. In these pieces the composer reveals a manner that is individual and often intensely expressive. His two sets of fantasia suites for one and two violins, bass viol and organ share common ground with the style of the Italian trio sonata. Lawes fought for the royalist cause during the English Civil War and his death at the Siege of Chester prompted many tributes.

Recommended Recording:
Consort Music, Phantasm (Channel Classics)

Introduction | Early Baroque | Classical
Personalities | Matthew Locke | Early Baroque | Classical

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