“Music is yet but in its nonage, a forward Child, which gives hope of what it may be hereafter in England, when the masters of it shall find more Encouragement.” Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Honouring the past, yet joying in the modern influences from Europe, Purcell forged forwards, and spearheaded musical development for a number of decades. Browse our sheet music and scores, and explore more of Purcell’s work today.
Henry Purcell was born in Westminster, where he lived his whole life. Part of a highly musical family, Purcell’s father, Henry Senior, was a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and his uncle Thomas was also a musician. He was a boy chorister at the Chapel Royal, and at the age of 14, while studying at Westminster School, young Henry Purcell was appointed Assistant of the King’s Instruments under John Hingston. One year later he became Organ Tuner at Westminster Abbey, and the following year, he was employed to transcribe organ anthems for the Abbey.
At the age of 18, Purcell succeeded Matthew Locke as Composer for the King’s Viols, and the appointment as Organist of Westminster Abbey followed just two years later, as John Blow, recognising Purcell’s remarkable talent, chose to step down. Three years later, Purcell became Organist of the Chapel Royal, a post he held alongside his work at the Abbey.
Purcell married his wife Frances shortly before taking the Organist role at the Chapel Royal, and they had six children, two of which survived, including Edward Purcell, who went on to be Organist at St. Clements, London.
Much of Purcell’s Keyboard Music, the Organ Works by Purcell, and Purcell’s Chamber Music came from his early years, including his Sonatas for Viols, and with his various ecclesiastical appointments, his focus naturally turned to sacred music and choral music. His Anthems, and Verse Anthems are particularly celebrated, most famously Funeral Music for Queen Mary (1695).
Purcell’s secular songs, and the theatrical works by Purcell are particularly well known. He wrote incidental music and songs for over 40 plays, and he wrote a number of semi-operas, which include music and dialogue, notably King Arthur (1691) and Fairy Queen (1692) based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His 1689 opera Dido & Aeneas, which was commissioned by, and first performed at Josias Priest’s School for Young Gentlewoman in Chelsea, is the only work he wrote which was through composed, including Italian-style recitative.
Purcell’s final work, Daniel Purcell, who was organist at Magdalen College, Oxford, completed the work in his honour.
Ausgabe für Trompete und Klavier C-Dur
Music for the King's Trumpeter
for: Trumpet, piano
Item no.: 262065
for: BFL ENSEMBLE (SOPRANINOSATBGB)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 487467
for: 3 trumpets, 3 trombones
Score, Parts
Item no.: 582005
for: String orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 949719
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 950730
Voce Con Tromba 4
for: Voice (soprano), trumpet, basso continuo
Item no.: 289431
Tenor Saxophone & Klavier (Organ)
for: Tenor saxophone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 594934
für Posaune in C / B, Tenorhorn in B & Klavier (Orgel)
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 1560611
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272272
for: Cello, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272267
for: Viola, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272264
for: Trumpet, youth concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1129454
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Set of parts
Item no.: 963481
for: Voice, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383260
Goodmusic Concert Classics
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 951577
for: Piano
Item no.: 1360003
for: Choir
CD
Item no.: 929898
for: Women's choir (SSAA) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 658576
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 311133
for: 2 Violinen und Bass mit Generalbass
Score, Parts
Item no.: 101625
for: Soprano Voice, SATB a Cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 865177
for: BFL QUARTETT (AAAB)
Item no.: 168265
for: Brass ensemble (10 parts)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 966621
for: Choir
Choir score
Item no.: 471832
for: String orchestra
Book
Item no.: 900143
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Book
Item no.: 894062
for: String Ensemble Keyboard Continuo
Book
Item no.: 889610
for: String Ensemble Keyboard Continuo
Book
Item no.: 886939
for: SATB and String Ensemble
Score
Item no.: 862212
for: Tuba
Music score
Item no.: 926981
for: 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, baritone horn, tuba
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1106695
for: Voice (low), piano
Score
Item no.: 169710
for: Choir
Choir score
Item no.: 920169
for: Mixed choir (SATB); piano ad lib.
Choir score
Item no.: 903010
for: Voice, Organ and Continuo
Book
Item no.: 909782
for: Violin, Cello and Continuo
Score
Item no.: 901939
for: Flute Violin Piano
Book
Item no.: 893912
for: Mixed choir (SSATB), organ
Score
Item no.: 422150
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Score
Item no.: 374928
for: SAB Organ Accompaniment
Choir score
Item no.: 886191
for: Choir
Book
Item no.: 875600
for: Mixed choir (SAB), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 867469
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Score
Item no.: 1338122
for: Opera
Score
Item no.: 938881
for: 2 Violinen, Viola, Bassi; Cembalo ad libitum
Score
Item no.: 281707
for: String orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281706
for: 4 brass instruments
Score, Parts
Item no.: 618488
for: Bassoon, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 860865
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