“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: Women's choir (SSA), piano
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 934604
for: Trumpet
Music score
Item no.: 928521
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 444122
for: Flexible ensemble (4–7 parts)
Set of parts
Item no.: 322241
for: Mixed choir a cappella
Item no.: 172310
for: Choir (2 voices), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 807184
for: 3 Violins, Viola and Contra Bass
Set of parts
Item no.: 862498
for: Bass Voice, Soprano and Piano
Choir score
Item no.: 862195
for: Viola, Violin and Harpsichord Accompaniment
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 861947
for: SATB String Ensemble
Set of parts
Item no.: 619099
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 900093
for: Harpsichord
Buch
Item no.: 315239
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 925471
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 877833
for: Voice (soprano), piano
Book
Item no.: 872495
for: Voice, piano
Choir score
Item no.: 911027
for: String orchestra
Book
Item no.: 908458
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 155983
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 618981
for: Mixed Choir [SATB] and Ensemble
Score
Item no.: 862154
for: Women's choir (SS), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 321601
for: SATB Orchestra
Book
Item no.: 905396
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 304577
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1014393
for: Opera Voice String Instruments
Book
Item no.: 181830
for: SATB String Instruments
Book
Item no.: 630369
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
4 Performance scores
Item no.: 493684
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 154505
Mixed Bag No. 3
for: Flexible wind band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 455476
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 579723
for: 2-Part Treble Voices [SA] a Cappella
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 1039115
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 1039275
for: Brass band
Sheet music
Item no.: 595511
for: Concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1314105
for: 8 brass winds (octet)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1313231
for: Mixed choir, concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 588730
Overture and dances from the opera of the same name
for: String orchestra
Streicherstimmensatz 3,3,2,3
Item no.: 760352
Edition Schott
for: Trompete und Streichorchester
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1566219
"Welcome to all the pleasures"
for: 5 Soli, Chor, Streicher und Basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 755978
for: Recorder
Instrumental Duet
Item no.: 1553168
for: 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones & Timpani
Sheet music
Item no.: 1271835
for: Double bass, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272263
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Choir score
Item no.: 1041868
for: Mixed choir (SATB), organ
Book
Item no.: 910349
for: Choir
Book
Item no.: 892017
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano
Item no.: 485443
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 494468
for: Flute [Oboe] and Piano
Book
Item no.: 135851
© 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
