Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
- Overture (Suite in g) from 'The Fairy Queen', ZimP 629
Performers: Concеrto Copеnhagen
Further info: Henry Purcell (1659-1695) - The Harpsichord Music
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English composer and organist. Son of Henry Purcell (?-1664), and
brother of Daniel Purcell (c.1664-1717), he received music lessons as a
chorister in the Chapel Royal, London, from the late 1660s until
December 1673, when he was hired as keeper of the king’s instruments. He
probably studied with John Blow and Christopher Gibbons, composers
associated with the Chapel Royal. On 10 September 1677, he succeeded
Matthew Locke as 'composer-in-ordinary' to the king and, in 1679, was
appointed organist to Westminster Abbey when Blow stepped down,
apparently to create an opening for Purcell, and then, on 14 July 1682,
was appointed as organist to the Chapel Royal. He retained these
positions for his whole life. In 1680, he married Frances Peters with
whom he had three sons, among them, Edward Henry Purcell (1689-1765),
organist at London. As a court composer, Henry Purcell was responsible
for providing the required ceremonial music, including birthday odes,
welcome songs, anthems, voluntaries, and other music for coronations.
Under King Charles II, who ruled until 1685, and James II, until 1688,
these duties kept Purcell busy and provided adequate income. Attempts to
introduce Italian- and French-style opera into England early in the
Restoration period had failed, but after the Glorious Revolution had
exiled James and brought King William III and Queen Mary II to the
throne in 1689, the musical establishment at court was reduced
considerably, and this may have caused Purcell to seek more income
outside from the stage. In 1689, Purcell worked with the future poet
laureate of England, Nahum Tate, to produce his only true opera, 'Dido
and Aeneas'. Henry Purcell is generally acknowledged as the finest
setter of English text, sometimes called the greatest native English
composer, his oeuvre may be divided into three generic areas. He
composed the instrumental incidental music to over 40 plays between 1680
and 1695, as well as 14 fantasias, 3 overtures, 5 pavans, 24 sonatas,
and much harpsichord music. His musical dramas were composed later,
including one complete opera and five semi-operas, mostly after 1688.
The third group, sacred music, was composed throughout his career: 56
masterly verse anthems, 18 full anthems (all before 1682), 4 Latin
psalms, 34 other sacred songs, a morning and evening service, and a few
works for organ. His music, especially the earlier instrumental music,
often experimented with unorthodox chromaticism and dissonance but
always shows a mastery of contrapuntal art. He was one of the most
important 17th-century composers and one of the greatest of all English
composers.
.jpg "Maria van Oosterwyck - Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase (c.1670)")
