An Engish composer and organist whose primary genre were sacred works; he is best remembered for his "Trumpet Voluntary." (He lived in the generation just preceeding that of Purcell, who, until recently, had been given credit for Clarke's "Trumpet Voluntary".) It is fairly clear that he sang at the coronation of James II and served as organist at Winchester College; Clarke may have asisted John Blow at St. Paul's. A catalogue of Clarke's works includes sacred services, numerous anthems, psalms and hymns, stage works and instrumental pieces. Most of Clarke's music is pedantic at best abiding to the conventions of the times. His melodies were befitting the galantry of a mild disposition and the instrumental aspects of his works were uncluttered and straightforward. ~ Keith Johnson