Ward, John

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Ward, John

Ward, John, English composer; b. Canterbury (baptized), Sept. 8, 1571; d. before Aug. 31, 1638. He settled in London and entered the employ of the office of the Remembrancer of the Exchequer, where he eventually attained the rank of Attorney; also served as household musician to Sir Henry Fanshawe and his family. He dedicated The First Set of [25] English Madrigals to 3, 4, 5 and 6 Parts apt both for Viols and Voy ces, with a Mourning Song in Memory of Prince Henry (London, 1613; ed. in The English Madrigalists, XIX, 2nd ed., 1968) to Fanshawe. His other works include 2 sacred services, 22 verse anthems (ed. in Early English Church Music, XI, 1970), and various instrumental pieces, including 42 fantasias for viols.

Bibliography

M. Strover, The Fantasias and In Notnines of J. W.(diss., Oxford Univ., 1957); M. Forster, The Sacred Music of]. W.(diss., Univ. of Durham, 1971). —NS/LK/DM

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire