Anthony Beck
Anthony Beck (died January 1674) was an English composer of the Baroque period. He served as a lay clerk and later minor canon at the Norwich Cathedral.
Biography
[edit]In 1639 Beck was appointed lay clerk of the Norwich Cathedral (NC).[1] He was part of a group of composers active during the Reformation in England who were encouraged to compose church music due to the lack of a published collection of anthems and music for services.[2] In 1663 he was appointed precentor and a minor canon at NC.[3] As customary he rotated out of the post of precentor, and again served in that role in 1668.[1]
As is common among composers of this period, most of the music written by Beck has not survived, or is in fragmentary form.[2] However, two of his anthems survive in complete: Behold how good and joyful and Who can tell how oft he offendeth.[3] The manuscript of the former anthem is held in the Rowe Music Library at King's College, Cambridge, and the latter anthem at the library of Peterhouse, Cambridge.[1] According to Peter Aston and Tom Roast these anthems demonstrate that Beck was a "competent if unadventurous composer".[3]
Beck died in early 1674, and was buried in Norwich on 29 January of that year.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Spink, Ian (2001). "Beck, Anthony". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.45537.(subscription required)
- 1 2 Le Huray 1967, p. 368.
- 1 2 3 Aston & Roast 1996, p. 695.
Bibliography
[edit]- Aston, Peter; Roast, Tom (1996). "Music in the Cathedral". In Atherton, Ian; Fernie, Eric; Harber-Bill, Christopher; Smith, Hassell (eds.). Norwich Cathedral: Church, City, and Diocese, 1096-1996. Hambledon Press. ISBN 978-1852851347.
- Le Huray, Peter (1967). Music and the Reformation in England 1549-1660. Herbert Jenkins Limited. ISBN 0257666613.