Robert Stevenson

Robert Stevenson was an English organist and composer active in Chester around 1570 and 1600. He is of interest chiefly for his work as master of the choristers at Chester Cathedral and for his vocal music, at a time when English religious music was undergoing a transformation.

In October 1571 he received the salary corresponding to six months as master of the choristers at the cathedral. He most probably succeeded Robert White in that post between 1568 and 1571, although the exact date is not preserved with certainty. Between 1571 and 1596 he was paid unusually high sums for copying music, which suggests that he was building up a new repertoire for the choir. The records for 1597 to 1600 have been lost, and in those for 1601 his name has already been replaced by that of Thomas Bateson.

In academic terms, he applied in 1583 for the degree of Bachelor of Music at Oxford, which he obtained in 1587, having by then been a “student of music” for 33 years. He took the degree of Doctor of Music at the same university in 1596. His surviving works include an instrumental Miserere, a complete service and two anthems, among them When the Lord turned again, which is considered an early example of the verse anthem of provincial reach.