John Barnard

Background

Nothing is known of the year and place of his birth.

Career

Barnard was a minor canon of St Paul's in the reign of Charles I. His collection of English cathedral music contains some of the finest 16th-century masterpieces, ranging from the "faux- bourdon" style of Tallis's Preces and Responses to the most developed types of full anthem. The work was published in 1641 under the title of ‘The First Book of selected Church Musick, consisting of Services and Anthems, such as are now used in the Cathedrall and Collegiat Churches of this Kingdome. ' The text, however, is not trustworthy.

Achievements

• He was the first to publish a collection of English cathedral music.