Michael East (or Easte, Est, Este) (c. 1580 – 1648) was an English organist and composer. He was a nephew of London music publisher Thomas East (c. 1540–1608), although, once it was thought that he was his son.[1]
In 1601, East wrote a madrigal which was accepted by Thomas Morley for publication in his collection The Triumphs of Oriana.[2] In 1606, he received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cambridge[3] and in 1609 he joined the choir of Ely Cathedral, initially as a lay clerk.[3] By 1618 he was employed by Lichfield Cathedral, where he worked as a choirmaster, probably until 1644, when the Civil War brought an end to sung services.[4] Elias Ashmole was a chorister at Lichfield, and later recalled that "Mr Michael East … was my tutor for song and Mr Henry Hinde, organist of the Cathedral … taught me on the virginals and organ".[5]
East's exact date of death is not known, but he died at Lichfield. His will was written on 7 January 1648 and proved on 9 May 1648. It mentions his wife Dorothy, daughter Mary Hamersly, and a son and grandson both named Michael.[3]
His most highly-regarded works are his five-part fantasies for viols:[6] Thurston Dart is quoted as saying, "despite some slipshod part-writing, they are among the best five-part consorts of the time".[3]
East was one of the most published composers of his era: he published seven groups of compositions: