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Purcell's Schooldays

Lucie Skeaping traces the early years of Henry Purcell, looking at how he came under the influence of different composers and church musicians.

The birth of Henry Purcell coincided with a hugely turbulent time in English political history, and went almost completely unnoticed. There are no baptismal records and we're not absolutely sure who his parents were, although it's likely that he was born in a house just a few hundred yards from Westminster Abbey, the place were he would eventually make much of his career and reputation. During his early years, the young Purcell came under the influence of several composers and church musicians, who were to shape his musical future. Lucie Skeaping traces the schoolboy years of the man who would grow to be England's greatest composer.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 9 Feb 2014 14:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Blow / Purcell

    Organ voluntary on the 'Old Hundredth'

    Performer: Thurston Dart.
    • EMI : JMSCD 1, Track 11.

  • John Blow

    Salvator mundi

    Ensemble: Red Byrd. Ensemble: The Parley of Instruments.
    • HYPERION : CDA 66658, Track 2.

  • Christopher Gibbons

    Voluntary for organ (verse for ye single organ in D major)

    Performer: Terence Charlston.
    • DEUX-ELLES : DXL 1124, Track 41.

  • Henry Purcell

    What hope for us remains now he has gone

    Choir: The Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge. Conductor: David Rowland.
    • MERIDIAN : CDE 84363, Track 13.

  • Pelham Humfrey

    Lord I Have Sinned

    Singer: Christopher Dolby. Performer: Raymond Johnston.
    • PRIORY : PRCD 372, Track 4.

  • Pelham Humfrey

    O The Sad Day

    Singer: Christopher Dolby. Performer: Raymond Johnston.
    • PRIORY : PRCD 372, Track 5.

  • Henry Purcell

    My beloved spake

    Ensemble: The King’s Consort. Choir: Choir of the King’s Consort. Conductor: Robert King.
    • UNITED RECORDINGS : 88002, Track 9.

  • Matthew Locke

    Scenes from Act 4 of 'Psyche'

    Ensemble: New London Consort. Director: Philip Pickett.
    • L'OISEAU-LYRE : 444 3362, Tracks 21-23.

  • Henry Purcell

    The Fairy Queen (excerpt from First Act)

    Choir: The Sixteen. Director: Harry Christophers.
    • COLLINS CLASSICS : 70132, CD1 track 8.

  • Henry Purcell

    Funeral Sentences: In the midst of life

    Ensemble: Taverner Consort. Choir: Taverner Choir. Ensemble: Taverner Players. Conductor: Andrew Parrott.
    • EMI : CDC 7 49635-2, Track 7.

  • Henry Purcell

    Funeral Sentences: Thou knowest, Lord

    Ensemble: Taverner Consort. Choir: Taverner Choir. Ensemble: Taverner Players. Conductor: Andrew Parrott.
    • EMI : CDC 7 49635-2, Track 9.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 20 Jul 2008 13:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Mon 28 Jul 2008 00:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Sun 9 Feb 2014 14:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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