“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.
Edition Schott
for: Trompete und Streichorchester
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1566219
"Welcome to all the pleasures"
for: 5 Soli, Chor, Streicher und Basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 755978
for: Recorder
Instrumental Duet
Item no.: 1553168
for: Opera Voice String Instruments
Book
Item no.: 181830
for: SATB Orchestra
Book
Item no.: 905396
for: SATB String Instruments
Book
Item no.: 630369
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 1041868
for: 2-Part Treble Voices [SA] a Cappella
Einzelstimme
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for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
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for: Bass Voice, Soprano and Piano
Choir score
Item no.: 862195
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Book
Item no.: 910349
for: Choir
Book
Item no.: 892017
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 155983
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 154505
for: Women's choir (SS), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 321601
for: 2 harps
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1555506
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 579723
for: 2 trumpets, piano
Item no.: 335417
for St. Cecilia's Day
for: 6 soloists (SSAATB), mixed choir (SSATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 488636
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 304577
for: 2 Soprane, 2 Blockflöten (Alt oder Sopran) und Klavier (Cembalo); Violoncello ad libitum
Score, Parts
Item no.: 355462
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 133231
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 494468
for: Flute [Oboe] and Piano
Book
Item no.: 135851
Students book
Item no.: 106919
for: Violin
Bücher-Set und Medien
Item no.: 209762
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano
Item no.: 485443
for: Mixed choir, concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 588730
for: 8 brass winds (octet)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1313231
for: Concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1314105
for: Organ, concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1260708
for: Brass band
Sheet music
Item no.: 595511
for: 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones & Timpani
Sheet music
Item no.: 1271835
for: Double bass, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272263
for: Choral
Item no.: 1523817
for: 2 violins, cello, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383412
for: Voice, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383259
Brass Solo Tutor Series
for: Alto horn (E-flat) [horn (F], organ
Organ score, solo part
Item no.: 1681245
for: Brass ensemble (8 voices)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 180379
Choir score
Item no.: 816843
for: Trombone
Music score
Item no.: 1090531
5 Pieces: Prelude, Air, Rigaudon, Menuet, Marche
for: 3 guitars
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1073044
for: 4 String Instruments
Book
Item no.: 461341
for: Flute, guitar
Buch
Item no.: 311775
for: 2 trumpets, 2 trombones (brass quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 173879
Klassik
for: 5 guitars
Buch
Item no.: 270348
for: Flute, piano [organ]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1562181
from "Abdelazer" and "The Double Dealer"
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 671685
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