Francis Pilkington

Receiving the Bachelors of Music in 1595 Pilkington served Chester Cathedral form 1602 throughout the remainder of his life. His primary instrument was the lute but his best compositions were madrigals and lute songs which could be accompanied by lute or by viola da gamba. He also composed religious part-songs but his most notable madrigals were the five part "When Oriana Walked to Take the Air," and "The Triumphs of Oriana." Most of his music, however, is at best provincial which may be due to the fact that he had no extended contact with London. ~ Keith Johnson