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Donald Macleod explores Henry Purcell鈥檚 London

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. 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.

Music featured:

Fairest Isle from King Arthur
Hail Bright Cecilia (Symphony & Closing Chorus 鈥淗ail! Bright Cecilia鈥�)
Welcome Song from Swifter, Isis, Swifter Flow, Z 336
What hope for us remains now he is gone?, Z 472
Suite from Abdelazer
An Evening Hymn 鈥楴ow that the sun hath veiled his light', Z 193
Voluntary in D minor, Z 719
O God, thou art my God, Z 35
Beati Omnes qui timent Dominum, Z 131
My Beloved Spake
Te Deum & Jubilate
Cold Song 鈥榃hat Power art Thou鈥� (from King Arthur)
They that go down to the sea in ships
Sighs for our late sovereign Charles the Second, Z 380 鈥業f pray鈥檙s and tears鈥�
My heart is inditing
Sefauchi's Farewell, Z 656
Love's Goddess Sure Was Blind, Z 331 (VI May Her Blessed Example Chase)
Come ye sons of art (excerpt)
Timon of Athens, . 632 (Curtain Tune on a Ground)
Dido and Aeneas, Act II (excerpt)
Theodosius, or the Force of Love (Overture; Prepare the Rites Begin)
King Arthur (excerpt)
The Fairy Queen (excerpt)
Indian Queen, Act 4 鈥楾hey tell us that you mighty powers above鈥�
When I am laid in earth from Dido and Aeneas
Trumpet Sonata in D Major, Z 850
Burial Service, Z 58c
鈥楩rom Rosy Bow鈥檙s鈥� from Don Quixote
Oedipus: incidental music, Z 583 (No 2, Music for a While (Arr B. Britten)

Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Sam Phillips for 成人论坛 Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Henry Purcell (1659-1695) /programmes/m0024x77

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we鈥檝e featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z