“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.
Hymnen und Choräle
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 867339
for: 4 bassoons, double bassoon; harpsichord ad lib.
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 638835
String Ensemble
for: 3 Bass Clef Instruments
Score
Item no.: 927438
for: 2 Trumpets and Organ
Book
Item no.: 998798
for: 6 recorders (SSATTB)
Item no.: 242806
Collection Maurice André
for: 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba
Score, Parts
Item no.: 245516
for: 3 trumpets, 3 trombones
Score, Parts
Item no.: 304299
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 156330
Musica Rara
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 329855
for: 4 trombones (quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 635016
for: Mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 556913
for voice and ensemble
for: 2 Violinen und Basso continuo (Cembalo, Klavier, Orgel); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Score, Parts
Item no.: 101626
for: 2 trumpets, organ
Organ score, solo parts
Item no.: 489091
Selected for the ABRSM Harpsichord examinations grades 4 and 5
for: Harpsichord
Buch
Item no.: 280071
Transcribed for Trombone and Piano
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 336343
for: Piano
Item no.: 355096
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano
Item no.: 355678
Ach! wie süß zu lieben
for: Voice (low), piano
Item no.: 355573
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 355464
2 Suiten aus der Oper
Eulenburg Studienpartituren
for: Symphonic orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 392074
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Item no.: 645991
Opt. 2 Flutes
for: Choir (2 voices), piano
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 936427
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 946856
for: Piano Reduction
Piano reduction
Item no.: 613413
for: Flötenquartett
Score, Parts
Item no.: 963619
Stimmt die Saiten
for: Voice (low), piano
Item no.: 355580
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 562671
Klassik
Score
Item no.: 644522
From Dido and Aeneas
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1183896
From Dido and Aeneas
for: Fanfare
Score
Item no.: 1180806
Your Favorite Classics
for: Brass band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 887822
Hymnen und Choräle
for: Men's Voices SATB Organ Accompaniment
Choir score
Item no.: 321962
Klassik
for: Soprano SATB
Choir score
Item no.: 321820
Klassik
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 321794
for: Voice Harpsichord Accompaniment
Book
Item no.: 321737
Purcell Society Volume
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Score
Item no.: 209335
Brass Quartet / Score And Parts (Ption / Pties) Mfb011
for: 4 brass instruments
Score, ensemble scores
Item no.: 377723
10,5 x 14,8cm
Postcard
Item no.: 773660
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 624609
Sacred Music Part 1 Eight Early Anthems
for: SATB Organ Accompaniment String Instruments
Book
Item no.: 321584
De Haske Recorder Series
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 615141
Fifty Solos, Duets, Trios and Quartets
for: 1-4 Recorders
Book
Item no.: 616832
from "Dido and Aeneas"
arranged for string quartet
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 485551
Piano, Timpani, Percussion optional
for: 8 trombones
Sheet music
Item no.: 1313181
for: Organ, concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1315144
Piano, Timpani, Percussion optional
for: 8 bassoons
Sheet music
Item no.: 1308945
Blasorchester
for: Concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 588747
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 1031837
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