Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695)

Henry Purcell was a composer of the Baroque Period who was to become a leading influential figure in the development of English classical music. He was born into music since his father and uncle were employed by the Chapel Royal, and his brother was also a composer and organist. Henry Purcell was also to study at the Chapel Royal, under Matthew Locke and John Blow, where he was destined to become organist after a short period playing organ in Westminster Abbey. Not much is known about his life, but a significant number of his works survive. As a composer Purcell wrote a number of works for the church and the monarchy (Charles II, James II and Queen Mary). He composed a large number of songs or "anthems" (a highly developed song form which as well as the solo voice could have sections for full chorus and orchestral interludes) and he had a natural ability to set poetry in the English language to music. His royal duties included writing music for birthdays and other events, and his ideas in this respect were to be a significant influence in that later royal composer Handel. However the music of Purcell which has had a greatest influence on succeeding generations has been his dramatic settings, in which he was influenced by both the Italian and French traditions as well as elements of domestic folk music. Of these only "Dido and Aeneas" is a full opera, and other works are semi-operatic or largely consist of incidental music. Purcell died at the age of only 36 and was buried at Westminster Abbey. Purcell's own music for Queen Mary's funeral the previous years was played during his own funeral service.

Purcell has had an influence spanning centuries of English classical music. His music has also found its way into popular culture with its use in Britten's "Young Person's Guide", the films "A Clockwork Orange" and "Pride and Prejudice", and inspired Michael Nyman in his film music for "A Draughtman's Contract" and Pete Townsend for the opening of The Who's "Pinball Wizard".

Major Works by Purcell:

• Dido and Aeneas (an opera) - the opera lasts less than an hour using a libretto is by Nahum Tate using ideas from the Aeneid, and the music includes the famous Dido's Lament "When I am laid in earth"
• Abdelazar - incidental music which includes the famous Rondeau which was used by Benjamin Britten in his "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" and which also made a brief appearance in the film Pride and Prejudice
• The Fairy Queen - the text is based on Shakespeares "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and Purcell's music comes at the end of each act, including atmospheric items such as "Hush no more" and "Hark the echoing air"
• The Libertine - incidental music including the song "Nymphs and Shepherds"
• King Arthur - another semi-operatic work
• The Indian Queen
• Funeral Music for Queen Mary - Queen Mary II died of smallpoxwhich was adapted by Wendy Carlos for the film "A Clockwork Orange"
• Ode for St. Celia's Day - "Hail Bright Cecilia!"
• Birthday Odes for Queen Mary
• Instrumental music - primarily fantasias and sonatas, chamber music for Viols (i.e. Strings) and other instruments; one of the fantasias is for 5 Viols and called "Fantasy upon one Note" and provided Pete Townsend with the inspiration for the opening of "Pinball Wizard"