Tobias Hume

Elizabethan English Composer and Viol Player

Tobias Hume was a Scottish composer and viol player active during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His career as a musician is somewhat overshadowed by his military service; he often referred to himself as "Captain Hume," indicating his rank and profession outside of music. Despite this, Hume's contributions to the repertoire for the viola da gamba are significant. His most notable collection of music is "The First Part of Ayres," also known as "Musicall Humors," published in London in 1605. This work comprises a variety of pieces for solo viol, ranging from dances to more abstract fantasias, and it showcases Hume's innovative approach to the instrument. The publication was groundbreaking in its focus on the lyra viol and its exploration of the instrument's capabilities. Hume's music is characterized by a blend of melancholic airs and lively dances, reflecting both the courtly and popular styles of his time. Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, Tobias Hume's work has gained recognition for its originality and expressive depth within the early Baroque period.