Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Henry Purcell


Henry Purcell 


Born: 1659 Died: 1695 Era: Baroque

Overview of Henry Purcell

Henry Purcell is one of the greatest English composers. Purcell composed during the Baroque era. Purcell was born 1659 and died in 1695. When Purcell was 18 he was appointed to compose for the King's violins. Purcell's work was performed in Westminster Abbey,where he was a organist from his early 20s until he died. Purcell's works also influenced the 20th century English composer Benjamin Britten.

Dido and Aeneas and King Arthur are two of his most famous works. Purcell composed music for semi-operas, hymns and odes and anthems. His body was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Reflections on Act IV of King Arthur "How Happy the Lover" 

I chose King Arthur because I'm interested in mythology. The lyrics were written by John Dryden, a famous poet.

I chose this part of the song because of the melody. The music is for a dance scene in the semi-opera. I don't like the vocals because that section is not melodic. The singer is singing in a low tone and I don't like that.
The style of music is passacaglia which has a lot of bass and is written in triple meter.

Most of the tempo is andante. The song is piano and switches to forte.I hear brass, strings and woodwind, a male and female vocalist and a choir.The tonality is major. The meter is 3/4.


  
King Arthur - Act IV. Passacaglia. ''How Happy the lover