Peter Philips (c.1560–1628) was an English composer, organist, and a central figure in the heydays of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Born in 1560 or 1561, Philips became a chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, but his Roman Catholic beliefs made staying in England during the Protestant Reformation difficult. Consequently, Philips left his homeland and settled in the Spanish Netherlands, which was more accommodating to his faith.

During his time abroad, Philips' career flourished. He became renowned for his polyphonic mastery and was employed at various prestigious positions, including organist at the Royal Chapel in Brussels. Philips composed a wealth of sacred music, expressing his profound religious conviction through an extensive output of motets, masses, and hymns. His secular works, although less frequent, were equally admired; his madrigals and keyboard pieces added a significant contribution to the instrumental repertoire of the era. Even after his passing, Philips left an indelible mark on the music world with his works continuing to be revered, recorded, and performed, as evident by the aforementioned recent releases, which illustrate a sustained interest in his compositions centuries after they were originally penned.

Genres

English Renaissance

Renaissance

Latest Release

Philips: L’Autre Côté des Choses

Peter Philips

Ep - 6 Tracks - Released January 19, 2021