London's royal houses
Donald Macleod explores the changing role of Purcell within the royal household, and the music he wrote for the various monarchs who ruled during his lifetime.
Donald Macleod explores the changing role of Purcell within the royal household, and the music he wrote for the various monarchs who ruled during his lifetime.
Henry Purcell was the most important English composer of the era, described as the "Orpheus Britannicus" for his ability to combine Baroque counterpoint with dramatic settings of English words. He composed music for the church, the royal court, the theatre and for England鈥檚 newly emerging concert scene, with an intelligence and creativity that marked him out as one of the most original composers in all of Europe. More than anything, though, he composed music for London 鈥 the city where he lived all of his short life. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores the city during Purcell鈥檚 lifetime and London鈥檚 effect on a man who lays claim to being England鈥檚 greatest composer. During Purcell鈥檚 childhood, it was a city reeling from civil war, the disastrous spread of disease, and the destruction wreaked by the Great Fire. We鈥檒l explore London鈥檚 churches, and music Purcell wrote for them, especially Westminster Abbey, where Purcell was organist, the state of London鈥檚 theatre scene in Purcell鈥檚 day, and the changing demands for music from the various monarchs of the composer鈥檚 lifetime. Finally, Donald explores London鈥檚 response to the shock of Purcell鈥檚 death in his mid-30s, and the tributes paid to the composer from his own Fairest Isle.
In Wednesday鈥檚 episode, Donald explores the changing role of Purcell within the royal household, and the music he wrote for the various monarchs who ruled during his lifetime. We鈥檒l hear of a traumatic royal journey on the recently thawed Thames, and visit a haunted Whitehall, Kensington Palace, and hear of a money-making scheme Purcell implemented for the Coronations at Westminster Abbey, and its mixed success!
Cold Song 鈥榃hat Power art Thou鈥 (from King Arthur)
Andreas Scholl, countertenor
Accademia Bizantina
Stefano Montanari, conductor
They that go down to the sea in ships
David Thomas, bass
Matthew Bright, alto
Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock, director
Sighs for our late sovereign Charles the Second, Z 380 鈥業f pray鈥檙s and tears鈥
Gerard Lesne, countertenor
Il Seminario Musicale
My heart is inditing
Choir of New College Oxford
Academy of Ancient Music
Edward Higginbottom, conductor
Sefauchi's Farewell, Z 656
John Gibbons, harpsichord
Love's Goddess Sure Was Blind, Z 331 (VI May Her Blessed Example Chase)
Neil MacKenzie, tenor
Symphony of Harmony and Invention
Harry Christophers, director
Come ye sons of art (excerpt)
James Bowman, countertenor
Christopher Robson, countertenor
David Wilson-Johnson, baritone
Michael George, bass
Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Gustav Leonhardt, director
Produced by Sam Phillips for 91热爆 Audio Wales & West
To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask 91热爆 Sounds to play Composer of the Week."
Last on
Music Played
-
Henry Purcell
'What Power art Thou' from King Arthur
Singer: Andreas Scholl. Ensemble: Accademia Bizantina. Conductor: Stefano Montanari.- Decca : 4782262.
- Decca.
- 6.
-
Henry Purcell
They that go down to the sea in ships, Z57
Performer: Simon Preston. Singer: Matthew Bright. Singer: David Thomas. Choir: Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford. Choir: Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford. Ensemble: The English Concert. Director: Trevor Pinnock.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 459-487-2.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
- 7.
-
Henry Purcell
If pray'rs and tears, Z380
Singer: G茅rard Lesne. Ensemble: Il Seminario Musicale.- NAIVE : E8882.
- NAIVE.
- 11.
-
Henry Purcell
My heart is inditing, Z30
Performer: Matthew Halls. Choir: Choir of New College Oxford. Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Edward Higginbottom.- DECCA : 4767230.
- DECCA.
- 14.
-
Henry Purcell
Sefauchi's Farewell Z656
Performer: John Gibbons.- CENTAUR : CRC2313.
- CENTAUR.
- 10.
-
Henry Purcell
Love's Goddess Sure Was Blind - Birthday Song for Queen Mary Z331 (4th mvt)
Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.- CORO : COR-16024.
- CORO.
- 12.
-
Henry Purcell
Come ye sons of art away (excerpt)
Singer: Michael George. Singer: James Bowman. Singer: David Wilson鈥怞ohnson. Singer: Christopher Robson. Singer: Howard Crook. Singer: Julia Gooding. Choir: Choir of the Age of Enlightenment. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Director: Gustav Leonhardt.- ERATO : 2435618445.
- ERATO.
- 21.
Broadcast
- Wednesday 16:0091热爆 Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.