Thomas Weelkes

Thomas Weelkes began his career as organist for Winchester College, a position he held for only a few years, during which he wrote his best madrigals. Around 1602 he became organist for Chichester Cathedral. Here he enjoyed initial success, but after the publication of his fourth set of madrigals in 1608, his situation began to deteriorate. After being charged for public drunkenness and neglect of duty, Weelkes was discharged from his post in 1617. He held one other position as an organist, but again failed to fulfill his duties to satisfaction. When he died in 1623, he left e...