Weelkes, Thomas, c.1575–1623, English composer. His four books of madrigals (1597–1600) mark Weelkes as one of the great English madrigalists. His music is remarkable for melodic characterization and innovative use of chromatic harmonic progressions. The Triumphs of Oriana contains his popular “As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending.” In 1602, Weelkes became organist of Chichester Cathedral. Of his 10 church services that survive in fragments, all are of interest for their original treatment of the liturgy. He also wrote anthems and a few instrumental works.
See study by D. Brown (1969).
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