John Bull (composer)
The year 1562 or 1563 marks the uncertain birth of John Bull, an English composer and organist whose origins remain a subject of historical debate. Thurston Dart proposed in 1952 that Bull's family originated in Somerset, where it is possible the composer was born. Anthony Wood first suggested a connection to the Bull family of Peglich, Somerset, but Dart later wrote in 1959 that Bull was probably the son of a London goldsmith. Susi Jeans suggests Bull was born in the Radnorshire parish of Old Radnor within the Diocese of Hereford, though no birth records have been discovered. Bull's appointment as organist of Hereford Cathedral in 1582 lends credence to this diocese being his place of birth. In 1573 he joined the choir at Hereford Cathedral, and the next year joined the Children of the Chapel Royal in London. He studied with John Blitheman and William Hunnis while learning to play the organ. After being appointed to the Merchant Taylor's Company in 1577, 78, Bull received his first appointment as organist of Hereford Cathedral in 1582. He then became Master of the Children there.
In 1586 he received his degree from Oxford, and he became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal that same year. In 1591, following the death of John Blitheman, he became organist at the Chapel Royal. In 1592 he received his doctorate from Oxford, and in 1596 he became the first professor of music at Gresham College on the recommendation of Queen Elizabeth. Fearful of losing his readership because his assigned rooms were still occupied by Thomas Gresham's stepson, William Reade, he forced an entry to the rooms by engaging a mason to help him break down a wall. This led to an action against Bull in Star Chamber, though the outcome of this case is not known. Ten years later, he was forced to leave his post at Gresham College on the 20th of December 1607 after he fathered a child pre-maritally with an Elizabeth Walter. Even though he filed a petition for a marriage licence two days after he lost his job, he never returned to the college. He married Elizabeth Walter in 1607, by whom he had a daughter.
Just after publishing seven keyboard pieces in Parthenia, Bull left England for good, secretly and with great haste in October 1613. His salary at the Chapel Royal was paid in lieu to Edmund Hooper. Bull was fleeing the wrath of George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, and King James himself; the charge this time was adultery. William Trumbull, the English envoy in the Low Countries, wrote to the King in early 1614 that the Archbishop of Canterbury had said: "the man hath more music than honesty and is as famous for marring of virginity as he is for fingering of organs and virginals." One summer morning Bull made one of the maids take his place by his wife, while he slept with the other maid in the truckle bed. Bull had also assaulted a church minister in front of the congregation. In 1615 Antwerp Cathedral appointed him as assistant organist, and as principal organist in 1617. He remained in Flanders, where it seems he stayed out of trouble. He died in Antwerp and was buried on the 15th of March 1628 in the cemetery next to the cathedral.
His first (and only) publication, in 1612 or 1613, was a contribution of seven pieces forming part of a collection of virginal music entitled Parthenia, or the Maydenhead of the First Musicke That Ever Was Printed for the Virginalls. The collection was dedicated to the 15-year-old Princess Elizabeth, who was his student, on the occasion of her betrothal to Frederick V, Elector Palatine of the Rhine. The other contributors to Parthenia were Bull's contemporaries William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons, among the most famous composers of the age. Bull also wrote an anthem, God the father, God the son, for the wedding in 1613 of the princess and the Elector Palatine. Much of his music was lost when he fled England; some was destroyed, and some was stolen by other composers. One of the most unusual collections of music from the period is his book of 120 canons, an astonishing display of contrapuntal skill. Of the 120 canons, 116 are based on the Miserere. Techniques employed to transform the simple theme include diminution, augmentation, retrograde and mixed time signatures.
His 5-part anthem Almighty God, which by the Leading of a Star, known colloquially as the Star Anthem, was the most popular Jacobean verse anthem, occurring in more contemporary sources than any other. Some of his music in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book is of a lighter character and uses whimsical titles: "A Battle and No Battle," "Bonny Peg of Ramsey," "The King's Hunt," and "Bull's Good-Night." Bull is often credited, falsely, as the composer of "God Save the King", the national and/or royal anthem of a number of Commonwealth realms, their territories, and the Crown Dependencies. While in Antwerp he most probably met Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, the most influential keyboard composer of the age. He 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. Although there is no evidence that he was a Catholic, he wrote somewhat ambiguously about his reasons for leaving.
John Bull (1562/63 , 12/the 13th of March 1628) was an English composer, organist, virginalist and organ builder. He was a renowned keyboard performer of the virginalist school and most of his compositions were written for this medium. He left many compositions for keyboard, some of which were collected in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Bull was one of the most famous composers of keyboard music of the early 17th century, exceeded only by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck in the Netherlands, Girolamo Frescobaldi in Italy, and, some would say, by his countryman and elder, the celebrated William Byrd. His first publication appeared in 1612 or 1613 as part of Parthenia. The collection included seven pieces dedicated to Princess Elizabeth on her betrothal to Frederick V. Bull's work influenced Baroque music through his technical mastery and complex canons. Despite false attributions like "God Save the King," his true legacy remains secure among the great keyboard composers of his era.
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Common questions
When was John Bull born and where did he originate from?
John Bull was born in the year 1562 or 1563, though his exact birthplace remains a subject of historical debate. Thurston Dart proposed that his family originated in Somerset while Susi Jeans suggests he was born in the Radnorshire parish of Old Radnor within the Diocese of Hereford.
Why did John Bull leave England for Antwerp in October 1613?
John Bull fled England secretly on the 10th of October 1613 to escape the wrath of George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, and King James due to charges of adultery. He had fathered a child pre-maritally with Elizabeth Walter and assaulted a church minister in front of the congregation before fleeing to Flanders.
What happened to John Bull after he became Master of the Children at Hereford Cathedral?
After becoming Master of the Children at Hereford Cathedral, John Bull received his degree from Oxford in 1586 and later became organist at the Chapel Royal in 1591. He eventually served as the first professor of music at Gresham College starting in 1596 until he was forced to leave his post on the 20th of December 1607.
How many canons did John Bull write and what technique did he use?
John Bull wrote a book containing 120 canons which is considered one of the most unusual collections of music from that period. Of these 120 canons, 116 are based on the Miserere theme using techniques such as diminution, augmentation, retrograde and mixed time signatures.
When did John Bull die and where was he buried?
John Bull died in Antwerp and was buried on the 15th of March 1628 in the cemetery next to the cathedral. He had been appointed assistant organist at Antwerp Cathedral in 1615 and principal organist there in 1617 before his death.
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