John Ward (composer)

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John Ward (1571-1638) was an English composer who was a contemporary of John Dowland.

Born in Canterbury, John Ward was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral. He went to London where he served Sir Henry Fanshawe both as an Attorney in the Exchequer and as a musician. Ward married and had three children. He moved to Essex by 1636 and died there at Ilford Magna in 1638.

John Ward composed madrigals, works for viol consort, services, and anthems. His madrigals are remarkable for their fine texts, broad melodic lines and originality.

Example choral works:

"Come, sable night", "Hope of my heart", "My breast I'll set upon a silver stream", "Out from the vale", "Satyr once did run away"