Henry Purcell – Sheet Music & Scores

“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.

Purcell’s Life

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.

Purcell’s Work

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 My Heart is Inditing (1685), Hail! Bright Cecilia (1692), and his 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, The Indian Queen was left unfinished at the time of his death, and his brother Daniel Purcell, who was organist at Magdalen College, Oxford, completed the work in his honour.

Some popular links for Purcell

DL: H. Purcell: Two in One upon Ground Chaconne, from: Proph
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Henry Purcell

Two in One upon Ground

Chaconne, from: Prophetess or The History of Dioclesian, Z. 627

for: 2 flutes [oboes/violins], basso continuo

Score, parts (pdf download)

Item no.: 2722

3.50  €incl. VAT
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H. Purcell: 40 Lieder - hohe Stimme, GesHKlav
Henry Purcell

40 Songs – High Voice

for: Voice (high), piano

Music score

Item no.: 137400

41.90  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: The Purcell Collection - Medium/ Low , GesMTKlav

Sound

Henry Purcell

The Purcell Collection – Medium/ Low Voice

45 Songs
Realizations by Benjamin Britten

for: Voice (medium/low), piano

Music score

Item no.: 489729

37.95  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
DL: H. Purcell: Airs à chanter et Suites de danses, 3Blf
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Henry Purcell

Airs à chanter et Suites de danses

Edition Schott

for: 3 recorders (SSA)

Music score

Item no.: 749872

8.99  €incl. VAT
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DL: H. Purcell: Strike the Viol (Pa+St)
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Henry Purcell

Strike the Viol

Aria from the Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary, 1694

for: Kontra-Alt, 2 Alt-Blockflöten und Klavier; Violoncello ad libitum

Score, Parts

Item no.: 758128

2.99  €incl. VAT
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H. Purcell: 40 Lieder, GesTiKlav
Henry Purcell

40 Songs

for low voice and piano

for: Voice (low), piano

Music score

Item no.: 212534

39.90  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: The Masque in Act 5, 4GesGchOrchO (Pa+St)
Henry Purcell

The Masque in Act 5

from Dioclesian Suite
score

for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra

Score

Item no.: 682372

17.90  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: King Arthur, GsGchOrch (Part.)
Henry Purcell

King Arthur

for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra

Score

Item no.: 816845

38.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: Solo Songs 1, GesCemb/Klv
Henry Purcell

Solo Songs 1

for: Voice, harpsichord [piano]

Music score

Item no.: 321735

22.99  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 5–7 working days (de)
B. Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orc, Sinfo (Stp)
Benjamin Britten

The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra op. 34

Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell with narrator ad lib.
Hawkes Pocket Scores HPS 606

for: Symphonic orchestra

Study score

Item no.: 198730

19.00  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Klavierauszug
Henry Purcell

Dido and Aeneas

Oper in 3 Akten

for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ

Piano reduction

Item no.: 198783

40.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Let Us Wander, 2GesKlav
Henry Purcell

Let Us Wander

Gavotta

for: 2 voices, piano

Music score

Item no.: 374355

4.90  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: When I am laid in earth (Dido's Lament), GesKlav
Henry Purcell

When I am laid in earth (Dido's Lament)

Ausgabe in drei verschiedenen Tonlagen: g-Moll / f-Moll / e-Moll

for: Voice (high/medium/low), piano

Music score

Item no.: 613999

10.95  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, GesGchStrBc (Part.)
Henry Purcell

Dido and Aeneas

Operea in three acts

for: Soloists, mixed choir (SATB), strings, basso continuo

Score

Item no.: 342930

17.00  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: A Miscellany of Songs, 2GesKlav (Klavpa)
Henry Purcell

A Miscellany of Songs

for one and two Voices and Piano

for: 2 voices, piano

Piano score

Item no.: 150325

10.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, GsGchOrch (KA)
Henry Purcell

Dido and Aeneas

Vocal Score and Full Score

for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra

Piano reduction

Item no.: 207093

13.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Orpheus Britannicus - medium voice, GesMKlav
Henry Purcell

Orpheus Britannicus – medium voice

13 Songs

for: Voice (medium), piano

Music score

Item no.: 369538

21.95  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Purcell Album, Org
Henry Purcell

Purcell Album

Lehrhilfsmittel

for: Organ

Music score

Item no.: 971723

21.99  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 5–7 working days (de)
DL: H. Purcell: Sweeter than Roses, GesTiKlav
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Henry Purcell

Sweeter than Roses

Voice and Keyboard

for: Voice (low), piano

Music score

Item no.: 748836

3.99  €incl. VAT
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DL: G. Bryars: Dido's Lament
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Gavin Bryars, Henry Purcell, Bryars, Richard Gavin / Purcell, Henry

Dido's Lament

Purcell arr. Bryars for SATB choir or four solo voices

for: gemischter Chor (SATB) oder 4 Soli

Music score

Item no.: 793897

2.99  €incl. VAT
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H. Purcell: Music for a while, GesTiKlav (Part.)
Henry Purcell

Music for a while

for: Voice (low), piano

Score

Item no.: 169714

8.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: The Cold Song, GesBarSt (Pa+St)
Henry Purcell

The Cold Song

"What Power art Thou" – Aria of the Cold Genius from "King ARthur"

for: Voice (baritone), string orchestra

Score, Parts

Item no.: 563579

14.80  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Purcell Society Volume 9 (Bu)
Henry Purcell

Purcell Society Volume 9

Dioclesian (Full Score)

for: SATB Orchestra

Book

Item no.: 321582

40.30  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 5–7 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Sonate 9 C-Moll Diletto Musicale
Henry Purcell

Sonata IX c-Moll (1683)

Diletto Musicale

for: 2 violins, basso continuo

Score, Parts

Item no.: 304588

19.95  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: A Purcell Suite , SblfKlav
Henry Purcell

A Purcell Suite

7 Stücke

for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano

Item no.: 485445

13.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Ceremonial Music for Organ With Optional Trumpet
Henry Purcell

Ceremonial Music for Organ

With Optional Trumpets

for: Organ; 1–2 trumpets ad lib.

Item no.: 135512

21.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Miscellaneous Keyboard Pieces, Klav/Cemb/Or
Henry Purcell

Miscellaneous Keyboard Pieces

Complete Harpsichord Works 2

for: Piano [harpsichord/organ]

Music score

Item no.: 326233

17.40  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: Ground In F + Variations
Henry Purcell

Ground In F + Variations

for: Harp

Item no.: 243116

18.90  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Suite aus
Henry Purcell

Suite aus "The Fairy Queen"

Musik für Blockflöte - Il flauto dolce

for: 4 recorders (SATB), basso continuo

Score, Parts

Item no.: 617635

25.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Fantazia - Three Parts upon a Groun, 4Bfl (Sppa)
Henry Purcell

Fantazia – Three Parts upon a Ground

Virtuose Chaconne für Blockflötenquartett (AAAB)

for: 4 recorders (quartet)

Ensemble score

Item no.: 659744

20.00  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Music from
Henry Purcell

Music from "A Midsummernight's Dream"

für 2 Oboen, Englischhorn und Fagott

for: 2 oboes, cor anglais, bassoon (woodwind quartet)

Score, Parts

Item no.: 678549

23.00  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Funeral music of Queen Mary
Henry Purcell

Funeral music of Queen Mary

for: Gemischter Chor (SATB), 1-2 Trompeten, 3-2 Posaunen, Orgel, [Pauken]

Score

Item no.: 235638

15.00  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: A Purcell Organ Album, Org
Henry Purcell

A Purcell Organ Album

for: Organ

Music score

Item no.: 553813

28.70  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Symphony, 13BlechPau (Pa+St)
Henry Purcell

Symphony

from 'The Fairy Queen', Act IV
Music for Brass (Robert King) 131

for: Brass ensemble (13 parts), timpani

Score, Parts

Item no.: 820368

42.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 5–7 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Two Songs (Pa+St)
Henry Purcell

Two Songs

arranged for high voice and viols

Score, Parts

Item no.: 1595953

12.00  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Sonate 11 F-Moll Diletto Musicale
Henry Purcell

Sonata XI f-Moll (1683)

Diletto Musicale

for: 2 violins, basso continuo

Score, Parts

Item no.: 304590

19.95  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Keyboard Suites, Klav
Henry Purcell, Louis Oesterle

Keyboard Suites

Piano Collection

for: Piano

Music score

Item no.: 316498

15.99  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Rejoice In The Lord Alway (Part.)
Henry Purcell

Rejoice In The Lord Alway

Purcell Society Volume

for: SATB and String Instruments

Score

Item no.: 490843

5.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: Two Voluntaries, Kamens (Pa+St)
Henry Purcell

Two Voluntaries

for flute, violin, cello (or c flute, alto flute, bass flute)

for: Chamber ensemble

Score, Parts

Item no.: 994204

22.30  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 1–2 months
Album Vol. II, SBlf

Rondeau and Hornpipe ( Play-along )

Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Henry Purcell et al.

Album Vol. II

5 Easy Pieces for Descant (Soprano) Recorder and Basso Continuo

for: Descant recorder

Buch + CD

Item no.: 576410

29.99  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 5–7 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Fantasien für Streicher (Violen , 3-4Mel (Part.)
Henry Purcell

Fantasien für Streicher (Violen da gamba). Heft 1

3 dreistimmige Fantasien (V, Va, Vc) und 4 vierstimmige Fantasien (2 V, Va, Vc)
Nagels Musik-Archiv

for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)

Score

Item no.: 123283

16.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
DL: H. Purcell: Ground in c from
Download item
Henry Purcell

Ground in c

from "Ye Tuneful Muses"
Z. T681

for: Harpsichord [piano]

Sheet music

Item no.: 4117

2.00  €incl. VAT
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W. Cornysh: Four Bass Trios, 3Bbfl (Sppa)
William Cornysh, Henry Purcell, Thomas Morley et al.

Four Bass Trios

for: 3 bass recorders

Ensemble score

Item no.: 366240

18.20  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: 15 Songs And Airs Set 1, GesTiKlav (Bu)
Henry Purcell

15 Songs And Airs Set 1

Prüfungsliteratur

for: Voice (low), piano

Book

Item no.: 321719

21.99  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 5–7 working days (de)
H. Purcell: The Fairy Queen, GsGchOrch (Part.)
Henry Purcell

The Fairy Queen

for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra

Score

Item no.: 612960

67.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
In stock. Delivery time: 1–3 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Sonate 8 G-Dur Diletto Musicale
Henry Purcell

Sonata VIII G-Dur (1683)

Diletto Musicale

for: 2 violins, basso continuo

Score, Parts

Item no.: 304587

19.95  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
H. Purcell: Little Purcell Suite
Henry Purcell

Little Purcell Suite

for: Horn, piano

Item no.: 579474

8.95  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 1–2 months
H. Purcell: Chaconne Z 731, 3AbflBc (Pa+St)
Henry Purcell

Chaconne Z 731

"Three Parts upon a Ground"

for: 3 treble recorders, basso continuo

Score, Parts

Item no.: 693921

14.80  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 5–7 working days (de)
H. Purcell: 4 Lieder (Orpheus Britannicus)
Henry Purcell

4 Lieder (Orpheus Britannicus)

for: Voice, guitar

Item no.: 163741

11.90  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–4 weeks.
H. Purcell: 11 Trios
Henry Purcell

11 Trios

for: 2 Alt-Blockflöten (Flöten, Violinen) und Klavier (Cembalo), Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum

Item no.: 351270

15.50  €incl. VAT, plus shipping
Delivery time: 2–5 working days (de)
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