“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: Voice (high), piano
Music score
Item no.: 137400
for low voice and piano
for: Voice (low), piano
Music score
Item no.: 212534
Oper in 3 Akten
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Piano reduction
Item no.: 198783
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
for one and two Voices and Piano
for: 2 voices, piano
Piano score
Item no.: 150325
Vocal Score and Full Score
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 207093
Musik für Blockflöte - Il flauto dolce
for: 4 recorders (SATB), basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 617635
arranged for high voice and viols
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1595953
for: Gemischter Chor (SATB), 1-2 Trompeten, 3-2 Posaunen, Orgel, [Pauken]
Score
Item no.: 235638
Piano Collection
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 316498
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 612960
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
for: 3 bass recorders
Ensemble score
Item no.: 366240
Geistliche Musik
for: Women's choir (SSA), piano
Score
Item no.: 188499
Dover Piano And Keyboard Editions
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 187657
Oper/Operette
for: SATB and Orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 123413
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 419503
for: Treble recorder, guitar
Ensemble score
Item no.: 418262
TrTrAATB solos, TrTrATB and Organ
for: 6 soloists (SSAATB), mixed choir (SSATB), organ
Piano reduction
Item no.: 929310
Purcell Society Volume 22A
for: 3–4 voices
Music score
Item no.: 586094
English Solo Song Guides
for: Voice
Book
Item no.: 1669554
Vocal Score and Full Score
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 1682129
for: 2 voices (AA) [women's choir], piano
Score
Item no.: 635795
for: Women's choir (SSA) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 891796
Music for Brass (Robert King)
for: Trumpet, organ
Book
Item no.: 240703
Klassik
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 1681995
Opera
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 392125
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Soloists, mixed choir, strings, basso continuo
Score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1565814
for: Voice (high), piano
Music score
Item no.: 1690151
Ode on St. Cecilia's Day 1692
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 1677430
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Soloists, mixed choir, strings, basso continuo
Piano reduction (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1615907
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 1671923
for: Soprano Harpsichord Accompaniment
Book
Item no.: 1668267
Diletto Musicale
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1678345
nach Henry Purcell's "Trumpet Voluntary"
für gemischten Chor und Orgel (oder Orchester)
for: Mixed choir (SATB), orchestra [organ]
Choir score
Item no.: 180163
Suite for Strings
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 109020
Fagott & Klavier (Organ)
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 594932
Eine Sammlung alter Musik
for: 2 Violinen und Bass mit Generalbass
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1667060
Transcribed for Trombone and Piano
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 336343
Ach! wie süß zu lieben
for: Voice (low), piano
Item no.: 355573
De Haske Recorder Series
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 615141
for: BFL QUARTETT (AAAB)
Item no.: 1660142
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 419704
Klassik
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Piano reduction
Item no.: 139837
for: Organ
Item no.: 493325
for: BFL QUARTETT (AAAB)
Item no.: 1658238
Klassik
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 1098434
Ausgabe in C-Dur (transponiert)
for: Trumpet (C), organ
Organ score, solo part
Item no.: 1672098
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