A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Peerson, Martin

PEERSON, PEARSON, or PIERSON, Martin, Mus. Bac., graduated at Oxford July 8, 1613. He was one of the contributors to Leighton's 'Teares or Lamentacions, etc.' 1614. In 1620 he published 'Private Musicke, or the First Booke of Ayres and Dialogues. Contayning Songs of 4, 5 and 6 parts, of severall sorts, and being Verse and Chorus, is fit for Voyces and Viols. And for want of Viols they may be performed to either the Virginall or Lute, where the proficient can play upon the Ground, or for a shift to the Base Viol alone. All made and composed according to the rules of art.' The last piece in the collection the composer tells us 'was made for the King and Queenes entertaynment at High-gate on May-day, 1604.' About the same period he became master of the children of St. Paul's. In 1630 he published 'Mottects, or Grave Chamber Musique, containing Songs of five parts of severall sorts, some ful, and some Verse and Chorus. But all fit for Voyces and Viols, with an Organ Part; which for want of Organs may be performed on Virginals, Base-Lute, Bandora, or Irish Harpe. Also a Mourning Song of sixe parts for the Death of the late Right Honorable Sir Fulke Grevil, Knight of the Honorable order of the Bath, Lord Brooke, &c. Composed according to the rules of art.' He died in 1650 and was buried in the church of St. Faith under St. Paul's. He bequeathed to the poor of Marsh, in the parish of Dunnington, in the Isle of Ely, £100, to be laid out in a purchase for their use.

[ W. H. H. ]