How many pieces did henry purcell compose

Purcell died in , most likely due to pneumonia. H enry Purcell began a new era in music. During the English history Restoration period, a very important time in English history, he did more then any other composer for music of the church, the theater, the concert room, and the chamber. A t that time music was demanded to be more for eyes than for ears. In the Chapel Royal music was regarded as a entertainment at the same style, as the fashion which composed in the court.

Purcell provided a number of verse anthems and full anthems for the liturgy. Traditionally, Purcell is regarded as the first English opera composer. His theater 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. They are plays, in which the action is accompanied by incidental music. It sometimes provides scope for an overture, interlude, ballet airs, dances, but at the same time it allows scope for recitatives, vocal airs, duets, choruses.

Definitely, Purcell was the first among English composers who set the English language in song. Unlike Italian operas, the recitatives in his musical dramas gain the maximum effect when they are sung in strict time. E nglishmen maybe more then any other nationality keeps the ritual impoertance in traditions and celebrations.

This is why it is not a surprise, that Purcell, being a royal composer, wrote a number of Odes, Welcome Songs and incidental pieces for other celebration of royal occasion. He had a considerable quantity of solo songs and songs for two or more voices, combining vocal cantilena often male alto, tenor and bass with thorough instrumental bass.

I n pure instrumental music, the position of the composer is unique. Henry Purcell was also to study at the Chapel Royal, under Matthew Locke and John Blow, where he was destined to become organist after a short period playing organ in Westminster Abbey. Not much is known about his life, but a significant number of his works survive. He composed a large number of songs or "anthems" a highly developed song form which as well as the solo voice could have sections for full chorus and orchestral interludes and he had a natural ability to set poetry in the English language to music.

His royal duties included writing music for birthdays and other events, and his ideas in this respect were to be a significant influence on that later royal composer George Frideric Handel. Purcell's dramatic settings were influenced by both the Italian and French traditions of the time and also included elements of domestic folk music.

Subsequently, many of his anthems transcended into church songs and were in regular use. For example, O sing unto the Lord had gained wide popularity. Alongside, he produced numerous odes for royal celebrations, such as birthday parties and homecomings.

This gave birth to a genre which was truly his own. Purcell also had the gift and talent for English word-setting along with exquisite melody and a capacity to express diligently. On St. The tragic story of Dido and Aeneas has a charm and transcendence of its own. He provided incidental songs and music for many plays. Purcell had contributed a huge quantity of verses and full anthems for the liturgy that was held by the Church of England; they were also used for the morning and evening services, including the Nunc dimittis, Magnificat, and Te Deumand Jubilate.

The anthems were high in popularity and offered a rhythmic interest. He composed other sacred vocal music such as the Latin psalms, et cetera. His anthems and services include more than 60 works. He was renowned and highly praised for them. Few examples of these anthems include "Behold, I bring you glad tidings" ; "Blessed are they that fear the Lord" , et cetera. His other sacred works include approximately 40 compositions with a variety of vocal combinations. Purell composed a variety of secular vocal music which comprises of odes for the Patron saint of music, the feast of St.

Cecelia and welcome songs and various other celebrations and royal occasions. He wrote many solo songs as well, alongside the songs he composed for theater and opera.