Everything about Robert Johnson Composer totally explained
Robert Johnson II (
c. 1580 –
c. 1634) was an
English composer and
lutenist of the late
Tudor and early
Jacobean eras.
Life
Robert Johnson (c.1580-c.1634) was the son of
John Johnson (who was
lutenist to
Elizabeth I). In 1596 Robert Johnson joined the household of
Sir George Carey, who became Baron Hunsdon the same year on the death of his father. Carey was patron of a theatre company to which
William Shakespeare belonged. The company was briefly known as "Baron Hunsdon's Men", but is better known as the
Lord Chamberlain's Men (a title they used after Carey became Lord Chamberlain), or their subsequent name, the
King’s Men.
After serving an apprenticeship in the Carey household, Johnson found work at court. He became a royal lutenist in
James I's "Private Musick" from 1604, and was later lutenist to
Prince Henry (until the prince's death in 1612). He composed for the music for the masques and entertainments which were popular at court in the Jacobean era. He went on to serve at the court of
Charles I until 1633, becoming “Composer for Lute and Voices”.
His compositions for the King's Men theatrical company have been dated to 1610-1617. The players required songs and instrumental music, and Johnson composed the original settings for some of Shakespeare's lyrics, the best-known being probably those from
The Tempest:
Where the Bee Sucks,
Full Fathom Five. Other contemporary settings of Shakespeare's lyrics exist, for example those by
Thomas Morley, but unlike Johnson's songs, the others can't be proved to have been written for the stage - in this respect Johnson is unique. Johnson collaborated regularly with other
poets and
playwrights such as
Ben Jonson, as well as
Francis Beaumont and
John Fletcher.
He also composed a number of other songs and "catches" or rounds, and drinking songs.
Works/Discography
Music connected with Shakespeare’s Works:
The following list mainly follows the order of the
Virgin Veritas cd "Shakespeare's lutenist"
(External Link
) which was recorded in 1991.
- Where the bee sucks; (The Tempest)
- Hark, hark! the lark; (Cymbeline)
- Come hither, you that love;
- As I walked forth;
- Woods, rocks, and mountains; (supposedly from the lost Shakespearean play "Cardenio")(External Link)
- 'Tis late and cold;
- O let us howl;
- Arm, arm!;
- Come away, Hecate;
- Fantasia (lute);
- Pavan I in C minor;
- Pavan II in F minor;
- Pavan III in C minor;
- Galliard (lute);
- Charon, oh Charon;
- Away delights;
- Come, heavy sleep;
- Care-charming sleep;
- Alman I (lute);
- Alman II (lute);
- Alman III (lute);
- Alman IV;
- Corant (lute);
- Full fathom five; (The Tempest)
- Have you seen the white lily grow?;
- Adieu, fond love;
- Come away, thou lady gay;
- Tell me, dearest;
- The Witches' Dance;
Some other songs:
Fantasia;
The Gypsies’ dance;
Gallyard (My Lady Mildmay’s Delight);
How wretched is the state;
With endless tears;
Get you hence;
He That Will an Alehouse Keep
Pieces for lute solo:
Two AlmainsFurther Information
Get more info on 'Robert Johnson Composer'.
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