“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.
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 942362
for: String orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 929653
for: 5 brass winds
Score, Parts
Item no.: 996631
for: 6 Trumpets and Basso Continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 627793
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Piano reduction
Item no.: 139837
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 229097
for: Gemischter Chor (SATB), 1-2 Trompeten, 3-2 Posaunen, Orgel, [Pauken]
Score
Item no.: 371392
for: Strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 145528
for: Voice (baritone), piano
Book
Item no.: 901979
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 899705
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Music score
Item no.: 897624
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Book
Item no.: 883387
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 879217
for: Chamber ensemble
Score
Item no.: 877537
for: SATB and String Ensemble
Set of parts
Item no.: 862176
for: Voice, piano
Music score
Item no.: 897816
for: Voice Organ Accompaniment
Book
Item no.: 886238
for: Voice, Organ and Continuo
Book
Item no.: 878380
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 907370
for: Symphonic orchestra
Book
Item no.: 880688
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Score
Item no.: 963480
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 315480
for: Symphonic orchestra
Book
Item no.: 479246
for: Women's choir (SA), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 903631
for: Woodwind Choir
Score
Item no.: 925754
for: SSA , Keyboard [Organ or Piano]
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 899251
for: Mixed choir (SATB); piano ad lib.
Choir score
Item no.: 905200
for: Voice (soprano), piano
Single edition
Item no.: 1038415
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 180861
for: Recorder
Music score
Item no.: 860996
for: SATB and Chamber Ensemble
Score
Item no.: 874432
for: KLAR VL VC CEL
Score
Item no.: 428670
for: Mixed choir a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 317496
for: Fanfare
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1014519
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Piano reduction
Item no.: 322091
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 553903
for: Voice SATB String Instruments
Book
Item no.: 881830
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 628187
for: Accordion orchestra
Score
Item no.: 876797
for: Choir
CD
Item no.: 812782
for: Choir (3 voices), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 810000
for: Mixed choir (SATB), strings
Book
Item no.: 883255
for: Mixed choir (SATB), strings, organ
Book
Item no.: 902193
for voice, two recorders and Basso continuo (Basso continuo realised)
from Orpheus Britannicus
for: Voice (soprano), 2 recorders, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 678245
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 255132
for: Soprano Harpsichord Accompaniment
Book
Item no.: 558527
for: Voice, Organ and Continuo
Choir score
Item no.: 553902
for: Choir (3 voices), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 815075
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