Camila Cabrera

• Purcell is regarde by most as the most important English composer of his time. His music Covered a wide field: the church, the stage, the court, and private entertainment. In his compositions It was evident his admiration for the past as well as for the future.
• He was an English composer,born in London
• He lived from 1659— November 21, 1695, London

• Not much is known about Purcell's early life. His father was a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, where Purcell received his earliest education there as a chorister.
• 1673 his voice broke and he becasme the assistant of John Hingston, keeper of the king’s instruments
• 1674 to 1678 he tuned the organ at Westminster Abbey and was employed there in 1675–1676 to copy organ parts of anthems.
• 1677 he succeeded Matthew Locke as the composer for Charles II’s string orchestra
• 1679 was appointed organist of Westminster Abbey
• 1682 he was appointment as one of the three organists of the Chapel Royal
• 1680 he married and had at least six children, three of whom died in infancy.
• Purcell spent most of his life in Westminster.
• A fatal illness prevented him from finishing the music for the operatic version of John Dryden and Sir Robert Howard’s verse tragedy The Indian Queen (1664), after his death his brother Daniel completed it for him.

Dido and Aeneas (1689)

During Purcell’s time there was no public opera in London. Most of his theatre music consists simply of instrumental music and songs interpolated into spoken drama, though occasionally there were opportunities for more extended musical scenes. This composition achived a high degree of dramtism

The Fairy Queen (1692)

In these compositions Purcell demonstarated a lively sense of comedy in addition to a passionate musical expression that is often more exalted than the words. Although his tendancy to identify more closely with the Italian style is present in this work, it is ven more clear in his later dramatic pieces which often demand considerable agility from the soloists.

Nine four-part fantasias (1680)

These weree a series of instrumental compositions for viols, and they are the first evidence of his mastery as a composer. In this work he is able to revive an outdated form of music with the skills of an expert

A series of sonatas for two violins, bass viol, and organ (or harpsichord)

He composed these during the 1960's and were a more fashinable type of music during the time unlike his prior music. Some of these were dedicated to Charles II making them popularr amongst the high class. Some say he "faithfully endeavour’d a just imitation of the most fam’d Italian Masters" although when comapred to Italian music it s evident that the songs have a great deal of English Chamber Music inspiration.

Purcell's music was so innovative, impactful, and moving that it was not only a favorite during his life time but continued to influence musicians after his time. Two examples of the influence he has had are:

The work of Benjamin Britten in 1945, whose famous piece The Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra is based on a theme from Purcell’s second movement "Rondeau" in Abdelazar.

English multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Pete Townshend of The Who claimed that Purcell’s harmonies influenced many of their most popular songs, including Won’t Get Fooled Again (1971), and I Can See For Miles’ (1967).

Aaccording to many Purcell was "one of the great British composers, whose mastery of the voice was absolute." Making him an important and memorabl figure. Despite only being 36 when he died, he left behind many compositions which have survived over time.

Purcell was also a prodigy. This is vident becasue he was only 20 when he was appointed Organist of Westminster Abbey and that he was extremely popular in royal circles.

Not only was Purcell's music inspiring to future artists like Benjamine Britten & Pete Townshend. But his early death didn't allow him to complete the tragedy The Indian Queen however his brother Daniel was inspired to finish it for him. Daniel Purcell was also raised as a chorister in the Chapel Royal and was organist of Magdalen College, Oxford. Prior to his brother’s death, he was not a very known composer, but from 1695 to 1707 (after finishing Henry's undone composition) he greatly demanded for stage productions music in London.

By: Camila Cabrera

Period 3