Biography Of Henry Purcell

2474 Words5 Pages

Farrah Pukin
Chorus Essay
Marking Period 3
4/4/14

Henry Purcell was a common composer in the 17th century. He was born on September 10th, 1659 in St. Ann’s Lane old Pye Street; Westminster. This area was known as Devil’s acre which was considered one of the worst areas in London; it is central London lying right on the river Thames’ north bank. Purcell had two other brothers: Edward and Daniel Purcell. Daniel Purcell was the youngest brother and he was also known as the famous composer who wrote the music for the majority of the final act of The Indian Queen after his brother’s (Henry) death.

Purcell was a composer in the Baroque period; in the nineteenth century, The Baroque period was used to describe the Western European art music. This was an era that had lasted for decades and it varied with musical artists from all around the European countries such as England, France, Spain, etc. Many famous musicians that we know of today have originated from those areas. Purcell was one of those geniuses who had a talent, which was bound to be explored. This happened between the years 1600 to 1750. There were many famous composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Handel; Johann Bach was a German composer and musician who was also in the Baroque Period. He created new musical styles and harmonic organization. Bach composed many sonatinas and other famous pieces. George Frideric Handel was also a German-born Baroque composer who was very famous for his operas, and organ concertos. Handel was also buried in Westminster Abbey just like Henry Purcell. There were many vocal, musical, and instrumental composers of the time. Henry Purcell was a well-known English composer who was born in the year of 1659 and died in 1695. Purcell incorporat...

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... Purcell included some of his personal feelings into his work at many moments. Henry Purcell was always known for good works and never really had any people who disliked him. Purcell strived to make the theatre field more wide-scaled in London, but not many people abided to his views on the arts. As time passed on, Purcell made large advances on the public with his new works of music and since he was composing pieces for the royal family in London, he got more favoritism.

In conclusion, Henry Purcell was a man full of music who passed away at an early age. He got discovered by composing for the royal and noble because his father was so well-known at the chapel. Henry Purcell was a composer in the 17th century and was a Baroque composer. He did not just write for plays and for theatre, but he also composed the piece at Queen Mary II’s funeral and his own funeral.

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