Peter Warlock

Bio

Peter Warlock was the pseudonym of Philip Heseltine (1894–1930), an English composer, music critic, and editor known for his contributions to early 20th-century British music. Born in Westminster, London, he studied briefly at Eton College and Oxford before devoting himself to composition and musicology. Warlock is best remembered for his songs and choral works, which often drew on Elizabethan and Tudor influences. His most famous piece, the Capriol Suite, remains a staple of the orchestral repertoire. He also edited and promoted the music of John Dowland and other early English composers. Despite his short life, Warlock left a distinctive mark on British classical music through his lyrical style and scholarly editions. He died in London in 1930 at the age of 36.