The golden age of England had a number of great lutenists. John Johnson was the first. He was appointed to the court of Queen Elizabeth I in 1579 and was so highly esteemed that a fifty year lease was granted to his widow concerning a number of properties. The majority of his compositins for the lute were conservative in nature with pavan and galliard forms dominating the landscape of his music. Counterpoint was characteristic and well-played. Johnson's contribution to the lute repertoire was "true lute duets" in which each part was considered and treated independently and equally. His music required technical excellence and musical accomplishment. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi