Thomas Mace

(1612? - 1706?)


English composer, author, singer and lutenist. In 1635 he joined the choir of Trinity College, Cambridge and remained in Cambridge (except for a brief interval during the Civil War) for the rest of his life. His compositions include a verse anthem and works for viol, but he is principally known as the author of Musick's Monument(London, 1676). Written between 1671 and 1675, it is a defense of traditional English music against the French style that Charles II favored; the work also contains valauable information about performance practice, including ornamentation and continuo playing.





English Lute Composers before 1635   |   IV M: England Through 1635