Peerson, Martin

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Peerson, Martin

Peerson, Martin , English virginalist, organist, and composer; b. March, near Ely, c. 1572; d. (buried) London, Jan. 15,1651. Although convicted of recusancy in 1604, he was granted his B.Mus. from Oxford in 1613. Settling in London, he was almoner and master of the choristers at St. Paul’s Cathedral (1624–42), later serving in the sole capacity of almoner. He publ. Private Musiche (1620), which includes ayres for solo voice and 3 viols, duets, and dialogues, and Mottects or Grave Chamber Musique (1630), the first English music to include a figured bass part. Among his other works were 20 anthems and various keyboard pieces.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire