“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: 4 clarinets
Score, Parts
Item no.: 479471
for: Trumpet, piano
Instrumental Solo & Piano Accompaniment
Item no.: 1051644
The Prince of Denmarks March
(Version in B- und D-Dur)
for: 3 trumpets, organ
Score, Parts
Item no.: 781252
for: Two-Part Treble Voices [SS] and Piano
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 1037635
Choral
for: Choir (3 voices), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 1126173
for: Clarinet
Instrumental Solo & Piano Accompaniment
Item no.: 1612934
Dm
for: Violin, piano
Instrumental Solo & Piano Accompaniment
Item no.: 1666215
Edition Vieweg (Musikschätze vergangener Zeiten)
for: 2 violins, cello, harpsichord [piano]
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 156009
for: Chamber ensemble
Buch
Item no.: 857919
für Tuba und Klavier
for: Tuba, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 594943
Alto Posaune & Klavier (Organ)
for: Alto trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 594940
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 594937
Blasorchester
for: Concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 588494
for: Tenor saxophone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272269
for: Clarinet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272268
for: Choral
Item no.: 1373717
Goodmusic Concert Classics
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 951616
for: 5 brass winds
Score, Parts
Item no.: 963602
for: Vocal
Item no.: 1529924
for: Choral
Item no.: 1523755
for: Voice, piano
Music score
Item no.: 155571
Piano reduction
Item no.: 476181
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Set of parts
Item no.: 164791
for: 3 Blockflöten (AAB)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 446885
Edition Schott
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 726059
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 482147
for: 6 Clarinets and Bass Clarinet
Score, Parts
Item no.: 996008
Edition Schott
for: Trompete und Streichorchester
Score
Item no.: 1566225
for: Choir
Choir score
Item no.: 628323
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 971696
Score
Item no.: 1338078
for: Voice, piano
Music score
Item no.: 901968
for: Organ Accompaniment Continuo
Choir score
Item no.: 898336
for: String Instruments SATB Piano Accompaniment
Choir score
Item no.: 877725
for: Women's choir (SSA), piano
Score
Item no.: 903866
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Book
Item no.: 900106
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 894211
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 867671
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 304586
for: Oboe, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 858704
for: Soprano / Alto Recorder
Buch
Item no.: 445627
for: Harpsichord
Buch
Item no.: 280070
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 891696
for: 4 saxophones (SATBar)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 877775
for: Mixed choir (SAB), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 803698
for: Voice (high), piano
Music score
Item no.: 169718
for: Mixed choir (SSATB), organ
Score
Item no.: 368514
© 2004–2024 by Stretta Music. Order and buy sheet music online.
Your specialist for all kinds of sheet music. Online shop, sheet music, music scores and play along for download, books, music stands, music stand lights, accessories.
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Denmark
Finland
Sweden
Poland
Czech Republic
Worldwide
