Thomas Morley

Thomas Morley (1557-1602) student of William Byrd was an English composer and organist of the Renaissance and a significant member of the English Madrigal School. Morley was also a foremost music publisher inspired by an established music printing culture in continental Europe. This book looks at Morley's pioneering music publishing contribution. Morley's entrepreneurial drive combined with an astute assessment of his market resulted in a successful and influential publishing business. Critical to Morley's success was his identification of a sort of music notably the lighter style of madrigal that would appeal to amateur musicians. Surviving copies of the original prints show that this music continued to be used for several generations.