Henry Purcell (ca.1659 - 1695), was an English
composer. Although incorporating Italian and French
stylistic elements into his compositions, Purcell's
legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music. He
is generally considered to be one of the greatest
English composers; no other native-born English
composer approached his fame until Edward Elgar.
Taken from the incidental music to Shadwell?s play "The
Libertine" or "The Libertine Destroyed", Purcell's
original choral piece "In the...(+)
Henry Purcell (ca.1659 - 1695), was an English
composer. Although incorporating Italian and French
stylistic elements into his compositions, Purcell's
legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music. He
is generally considered to be one of the greatest
English composers; no other native-born English
composer approached his fame until Edward Elgar.
Taken from the incidental music to Shadwell?s play "The
Libertine" or "The Libertine Destroyed", Purcell's
original choral piece "In these delightful pleasant
groves" is a genuine highlight of British choral music
of the baroque period with its lively exuberance of
dance and his onomatopoeic effects.
He died in 1695 at the height of his powers; he was
only in his mid-thirties. He breathed his last at his
house in Dean's Yard, Westminster, leaving a widow and
three living children (three others predeceased him).
His widow died in 1706, having published a number of
his works, including the now famous collection called
Orpheus Britannicus (two books, 1698 and 1702).
Although originally written for Chorus and Basso
continuo, I adapted this piece for Concert (Pedal) Harp
and Woodwind Quartet (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and
Bassoon).
SHEET MUSIC