Arranger: John Playford
From HymnsWithoutWords
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John Playford (1623–1686/7) was an English bookseller and publisher born in the city of Norwich. Based in London he was a member of the Stationers' Company, and published books on music theory, instruction books for several instruments, and psalters with tunes for singing in churches.
He served an apprenticeship with a publisher (John Benson) from 1639/40 to 1647, after which he opened a shop in the porch of Temple Church. He is perhaps best known today for his publication of The English Dancing Master in 1651 (later editions were known as 'The Dancing Master'). The work contains both the music and instructions for English country dances. This came about after Playford was working as a (Civil) war correspondent and was captured by Cromwell's men and told that, if he valued his freedom (as a sympathiser with the King), he might consider a change of career. Although many of the tunes in the book are attributed to him today, he probably did not write any of them. Most were popular melodies that had existed for years.
