Essay about Henry Purcell - 2912 Words

Henry Purcell is seen as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period and one of the greatest of all English composers. His earliest surviving works date from 1680 and show a complete command of musical composition. They include some fantasias for viols, masterpieces of contrapuntal writing, and more contemporary sonatas for violins, which reveal some acquaintance with Italian models. Purcell, in his time, became increasingly in demand as a composer, and his theatre music in particular made his name familiar to many who knew nothing of his church music or the odes and welcome songs he wrote for the court of three different kings over twenty-five years. To begin to chronicle the life of Henry Purcell is a difficult task as there is†¦show more content†¦A job that was given to many other trusted workers in the abbey as Westminster had no official copyist. Purcell probably spent most that time copying post restoration works that were being created at the time. This work as well as his normal workload as a choir boy would have acquainted him with the restoration composers and given him insight into their work. He himself confessed to transcribing the works of Byrd, Gibbons and Tallis into his own personal manuscript book. Charles II had in his court a copy of Louis XIVs Vignt-quatre violins du Roiand. This group of musicians was to play for Charles much the same as the French model played for Louis. In 1677 death came to Matthew Locke the then composer for Charles the seconds twenty-four violins (Westrup, p.26). Purcell, the precocious lad he was, succeeded him at the age of only eighteen. This was a most distinguished post for a musician and composer since Locke was one of the most respected composers of his day. No doubt there were some complaints of favoritism as Locke was an intimate friend of the Purcell family. The duties of twenty-four violins were principally to play at court functions wherever the king was in residence; Charles II loved to listen before meal-times. Charles taste in music did not extend beyond that which was not readily intelligible1 with a straightforward rhythm that he could beat time. In other words he knew what he liked and knewShow MoreRelatedThe Life Of Henry Purcell1353 Words   |  6 PagesThe Life of Henry Purcell Henry Purcell was a famous English composer during the Baroque period of music. There is very little known about Henry Purcell’s life. Purcell was born September 10, 1659 in the Westminster area of central London, England. His father, who was also named Henry Purcell was a gentleman at the Chapel Royal and the master of Choristers in Westminster Abbey but he died in 1664 when Purcell was around six years old. After the death of his father his mother Elizabeth was forcedRead MoreThe Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell1153 Words   |  5 PagesThe Baroque period is an era of artistic style utilizing embellished motion, pure and effortlessly interpreted detail to yield drama, tension, exuberance, and opulence in representation. The opera â€Å"The Fairy Queen† by Henry Purcell is an excellent representation of the Baroque era in its inordinate application of all theatrical foundations, embroidered indications, and the selected focused elucidation to return melodrama, emotio nal tension, enthusiasm, and sumptuousness for the audience watchingRead MoreThe development and contribution Purcell made to the operatic genre through his opera and dramatic works1979 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿ The development and contribution Purcell made to the operatic genre through his opera and dramatic works. Henry Purcell (1659-1695) composed music for many different genres. Among these he wrote one true opera, Dido and Aeneas (1689). He also wrote a number of dramatic works. Purcell spent the majority of his last five years composing music for the stage. The majority of Purcell’s dramatic instrumental music or songs were used in spoken plays. Purcell went on to write four semi-operas; DioclesianRead MoreHenry Purcell s Dido And Aeneas950 Words   |  4 Pages I went to go see a college production of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas at a recital hall at Meredith College. The hall was almost full, but it was not huge auditorium or stage. The stage was brightly lit and there were no light changes during the performance. The audience ranged in ages, so it was family event. Many had flowers, so some of the audience was families supporting those performing. Most people seemed engaged in the performance, especially when performers entered from the back of hallRead MoreThe Era Of Music During Beethoven And Dido And Aeneas By Henry Purcell768 Words   |  4 Pagescomposers may only focus on one instrument to perfect. Regardless of taste or need for music, it is all important. Two of the important pieces learned in the beginning music class are Symphony No. 5 in C minor by Beethoven and Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell. A major historical event was well underway when Beethoven was born. The Age of Enlightenment was upon the world. The peak of the period was happening right as Beethoven was born. Philosophy, science, and politics were changed. Many believe thisRead MoreClassical music concert report1018 Words   |  5 Pagesheart is inditing. The venue was Redpath Hall of McGill University. The program began with Welcome to all the pleasures, which is an ode written for the Saint Cecilia Day, composed by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell in 1683. It opens with a symphony with canonic violin parts. Purcell creates a concerto grosso effect with the contrapuntal violin melodies. Then comes the countertenor solo which I found very impressing. The second piece they performed was Violin Concerto in A major, Op.7:6 composedRead MoreCompare And Contrast Dido And Aeneas850 Words   |  4 Pagesand had scenery images to help with representing the setting and time of day throughout the performance. Many props were used by all roles of the cast. The costumes were more elaborate and detailed compared to that of Dido and Aeneas, written by Henry Purcell. The costumes for L’Orfeo were geared to fitting into the Greek Mythology period since the opera was based on the time period of Orpheus in Greek Mythology. They also used special effects such as the lowering of the c loud that Apollo descends fromRead MoreBaroque Music764 Words   |  4 Pagestook composers like Handel and Bach to make them into emotional, human experiences. The 10 most famous composers of the Baroque period are, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, George Philip Telemann, Arcangelo Corelli, Henry Purcell, Domenicp Scarlatti, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Johann Pachelbel, Giovanni Battista Sammartini. Coming in first place is Johanne Sebastian Bach who was a genius keyboardist, mastered the organ and harpsichord, and a brilliant composer. He wrote musicRead MoreEvolution of Opera: Greek Drama to Baroque Opera Essays870 Words   |  4 Pagesthe main interest in costumes and spectacle, but including spoken dialogue, songs, and instrumental music† (135). In the early seventeen hundreds England yielded to Italian taste, this is thought to be as a result of the death of Henry Purcell (Grout 135). Henry Purcell was the most important operatic composer in En gland and it was thought that with his passing came the hopelessness â€Å"for the future of English musical drama† (Grout 146). Italian opera maintained its position as leader throughout theRead MoreDidos Lament781 Words   |  4 Pagestime you could go hear music in public opera houses. Religious music was a huge part of baroque era; it saw the creation of tonality, made changes in musical notation, and developed new instrumental playing techniques. Didos Lament composed by Henry Purcell is an opera that was first performed in the spring of 1689. The form of this piece is Recitative and Aria; the recitative voice is accompanied by simple chords on a guitar. The aria is in two parts which feature eleven repetitions of chromatically