A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Farmer, John (16th Century)

FARMER, John, 'practitioner in the art of Musique' in the latter part of the 16th century, published in 1591 a little tract entitled 'Divers and sundrie waies of two Parts in one, to the number of fortie upon one playn Song; sometimes placing the Ground above and the parts benethe, and otherwise the Ground benethe and the parts above,' etc. He was one of the ten composers employed by T. Este to harmonise the tunes for his 'Whole Book of Psalms' published in 1592. In 1599 he published his 'First Set of English Madrigals to Foure Voyces,' in the address 'To the Reader' prefixed to which he says he has fitly 'linkt' his 'Musicke to number,' and given to each 'their true effect.' Both this work and his tract are dedicated to the Earl of Oxenford, whom the author describes as 'my very good Lord and Master.' Farmer contributed to 'The Triumphes of Oriana,' 1601, the madrigal 'Faire nimphee I heard one telling.' Nothing is known of his biography.

[ W. H. H. ]