10 September marked Henry Purcell’s birthday (roughly). So we've decided to celebrate this greatest of English composers with a playlist.
In the circumstances, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we decided not to publish it on the day.
The greatest of English composers had strong royal connections. Born in Westminster* in 1659, his father sang in the Chapel Royal and Henry was to become organist at Westminster Abbey where he composed coronations anthems for King James II. His music for Queen Mary II is amongst his most renowned. It includes several Birthday Odes (one being Come Ye Sons of Art on this playlist) and his devastating music for her funeral – this was later used at his own funeral following his tragically early death in 1695 just a year later.
*Westminster is one of the ‘twin cities’ that makes up central London, located a little over a mile west along the River Thames from the City of London.