Johnson, Robert

JOHNSON, Robert, an ecclesiastic who flourished in the middle of the 16th century, was composer of motets, part-songs and virginal pieces. Burney says ‘He was one of the first of our church composers who disposed their parts with intelligence and design. In writing upon a plainsong (moving in slow notes of equal length), which was so much practised in those times, he discovers considerable art and ingenuity, as also in the manner of treating subjects of fugue and imitationHe was one of the first of our church composers who disposed their parts with intelligence and design. In writing upon a plainsong (moving in slow notes of equal length), which was so much practised in those times, he discovers considerable art and ingenuity, as also in the manner of treating subjects of fugue and imitation...