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I know it may be hard, but please don’t think badly about Henry Purcell. His composer peers in this chapter may have neat, jumpy first names that bounce around in your ear like ‘Claudio’ and ‘Giovanni’ and ‘Arcangelo’, but that doesn’t mean that Purcell’s music is dull just because his first name is only ‘Henry’. Purcell, after all, represents the climax of England’s important status in music; a period that began in the early 1500’s. After Purcell, famous English composers became a rarity. English composers did not truly revive their musical talents again until the twentieth century.

The life of Purcell is largely a mystery. However, after a lot of time pouring through decaying and disintegrating journals and watching hours of The History Channel, historians know that in 1673, Purcell became the “Keeper, maker, mender, repairer of the regales, virginals, flutes, recorders and all other kinds of wind instruments whatsoever… without fee, to his Majesty.” Purcell remained at this post until he was promoted to be the administrator of the King’s violins. In his spare time, Purcell served as the organist for West Minister Abbey.

Soon, Purcell became famous throughout England and he received a number of royal requests. He wrote the anthems for the coronation of James I and the funeral of Queen Mary. Besides these great accomplishments, Purcell also wrote the first great English opera, Dido and Aeneas. Purcell died young, at the age of 36, in his hometown of London.

Listening to Purcell

If anyone likes the sound of Baroque Brass, Henry Purcell is most certainly your composer. I might enjoy brass music more if I hadn’t been a trombonist in high school and realized the disgustingly large amount of spit it takes to play any brass piece. But don’t think about that. Just enjoy Purcell’s music for what it is, not what it’s made of.

Purcell Recommendations

Orchestral Music

- Trumpet Tune and Air

- Sonata for Trumpet and Strings

Opera

- The Fairy Queen

- Dido and Aeneas

Sacred Vocal Music

- The Funeral Music for Queen Mary II


Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) *England’s Last Fanfare* “Music is the exaltation of poetry.” – Henry Purcell I know it may be hard, but please don’t think badly about Henry Purcell. His composer peers in this chapter may have neat, jumpy first names that bounce around in your ear like ‘Claudio’ and ‘Giovanni’ and ‘Arcangelo’, but that doesn’t mean that Purcell’s music is dull just because his first name is only ‘Henry’. Purcell, after all, represents the climax of England’s important status in music; a period that began in the early 1500’s. After Purcell, famous English composers became a rarity. English composers did not truly revive their musical talents again until the twentieth century. The life of Purcell is largely a mystery. However, after a lot of time pouring through decaying and disintegrating journals and watching hours of The History Channel, historians know that in 1673, Purcell became the “Keeper, maker, mender, repairer of the regales, virginals, flutes, recorders and all other kinds of wind instruments whatsoever… without fee, to his Majesty.” Purcell remained at this post until he was promoted to be the administrator of the King’s violins. In his spare time, Purcell served as the organist for West Minister Abbey. Soon, Purcell became famous throughout England and he received a number of royal requests. He wrote the anthems for the coronation of James I and the funeral of Queen Mary. Besides these great accomplishments, Purcell also wrote the first great English opera, Dido and Aeneas. Purcell died young, at the age of 36, in his hometown of London. Listening to Purcell If anyone likes the sound of Baroque Brass, Henry Purcell is most certainly your composer. I might enjoy brass music more if I hadn’t been a trombonist in high school and realized the disgustingly large amount of spit it takes to play any brass piece. But don’t think about that. Just enjoy Purcell’s music for what it is, not what it’s made of. Purcell Recommendations Orchestral Music - Trumpet Tune and Air - Sonata for Trumpet and Strings Opera - The Fairy Queen - Dido and Aeneas Sacred Vocal Music - The Funeral Music for Queen Mary II



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