Canon
Where to start with Purcell
Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles-
StageDido and Aeneas, Z.626 — Opera
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VocalHail, bright Cecilia, Z.328
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ChamberMarch and Canzona for the Funeral of Queen Mary, for 4 trumpets, Z.860
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Keyboard8 Suites, Z.660-669
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StageThe Fairy Queen, Z.629
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Vocal'Tis women makes us love, catch for 4 voices, Z.281
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Chamber15 Fantasias for viols, D.732-747
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StageA Fool's Preferment, or, The Three Dukes of Dunstable, Z.571
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KeyboardA New Ground in E minor, Z.682
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ChamberA New Ground, for harpsichord, Z.T682
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KeyboardA New Irish Tune in G major, Z.646, "Lilliburlero"
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KeyboardA New Minuet in D minor, Z.689
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KeyboardA New Scotch Tune in G major, Z.655
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VocalA Prince, for voice and continuo
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VocalA thousand sev'ral ways I tried, Z.359
Listening guide
Hand-curated paths into Purcell's catalogueMost Popular
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Dido and Aeneas — Dido\’s Lament
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Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary
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Rondeau (Trumpet Voluntary — actually by Jeremiah Clarke)
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When I Am Laid in Earth
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The Fairy Queen (semi-opera selections)
Most Acclaimed
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Fantazias for Strings (complete)
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Dido and Aeneas
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Odes and Welcome Songs
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The Fairy Queen
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King Arthur (semi-opera)
Most Weird
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Fantazias for Violswritten in a dying idiom in 1680 — everyone had moved on to violins; chromatic, intensely personal, never performed in public
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Chacony in G minorstring orchestra — austere; the ground bass repeats 32 times; each repetition more intense
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Hear My Prayer O Lord8-part verse anthem — the most chromatic piece he ever wrote; the harmonic sequence at ”hear my prayer” is extraordinary
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Music for the Funeral of Queen Marymarch and canzona in minor — played at Purcell’s own funeral months later
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The Tempest (semi-opera)attribution disputed — but if Purcell’s, the most theatrical music of the period
Similar composers
Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinityWorks 278
- Stage
- Dido and Aeneas, Z.626 — Opera
- The Fairy Queen, Z.629
- A Fool's Preferment, or, The Three Dukes of Dunstable, Z.571
- Abdelazer, or The Moor's Revenge, Z.570
- Amphitryon, or the 2 Sosias, Z.572
- Aureng-Zebe, or the Great Mogul, Z.573
- Bonduca, or The British Heroine, Z.574
- Circe, Z.575
- Cleomenes, the Spartan Hero, Z.576
- Distressed Innocence, or, the Princess of Persia, Z.577
- Don Quixote, Z.578
- Epsom Wells, Z.579
- Henry II, King of England, Z.580
- King Arthur or the British Worthy, Z.628
- Love Triumphant, or Nature Will Prevail, Z.582
- Oedipus, Z.583
- Oroonoko, Z.584
- Pausanius, Z.585
- Pausanius, the Betrayer of His Country, Z.585
- Prophetess, or The History of Dioclesian, Z.627
- Regulus, or the Faction of Carthage, Z.586
- Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, Z.587
- Sir Anthony Love, or the Rambling Lady, Z.588
- Sir Barnaby Whigg, or No Wit Like a Woman's, Z.589
- Sophonisba, or Hannibal's Overthrow, Z.590
- Spanish Friar, or the Double Discovery, Z.610
- The Canterbury Guests, or A Bargain Broken, Z.591
- The Double Dealer, Z.592
- The English Lawyer, Z.594
- The Fatal Marriage, or the Innocent Adultery, Z.595
- The Female Virtuosos, Z.596
- The Gordian Knot Unty'd, Z.597
- The History of King Richard II, or, The Sicilian Usurper, Z.581
- The Indian Emperor, or The Conquest of Mexico, Z.598
- The Indian Queen, Z.630
- The Knight of Malta, Z.599
- The Libertine, or the Libertine Destroyed, Z.600
- The Maid's Last Prayer, or Any Rather than Fail, Z.601
- The Marriage-Hater Match'd, Z.602
- The Married Beau, or the Curious Impertinent, Z.603
- The Massacre of Paris, Z.604
- The Mock Marriage, Z.605
- The Old Bachelor, Z.607
- The Richmond Heiress, or, A Woman Once in the Right, Z.608
- The Rival Sisters, or the Violence of Love, Z.609
- The Tempest, Z.631
- The Virtuous Wife, or Good Luck at Last, Z.611
- The Wives' Excuse, or Cuckolds Make Themselves, Z.612
- Theodosius, or the Force of Love, Z.606
- Timon of Athens, Z.632
- Tyrannic Love, or the Royal Martyr, Z.613
- Vocal
- Hail, bright Cecilia, Z.328
- 'Tis women makes us love, catch for 4 voices, Z.281
- A Prince, for voice and continuo
- A thousand sev'ral ways I tried, Z.359
- Ah! cruel nymph! you give despair for soprano and continuo, Z.352
- Ah! how pleasant 'tis to love, for soprano and continuo, Z.353
- Amidst the Shades and Cool Refreshing Streams, Z.355
- Amidst the Shades, for voice and continuo
- An Evening Hymn, Z.193
- As Amoret and Thirsis lay, song, Z. 607/11
- As Roger Last Night to Jenny Lay Close, catch for 3 voices, Z.242
- Be Welcome, then, Great Sir, for 2 voices and continuo
- Beati omnes, for soprano, bass, chorus and continuo, Z.131
- Behold now, praise the Lord, anthem for alto, tenor, bass, chorus, 2 violins, viola and continuo, Z.3
- Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven, anthem, for 2 sopranos, alto, 2 tenors, bass, chorus and continuo, Z.8
- Blessed is the Man that Feareth the Lord, for 3 voices and continuo, Z.9
- Blow up the trumpet in Sion, for soloists, chorus and continuo, Z.10
- Burial Service, Z.27
- Cease, anxious World, for voice and continuo
- Celebrate this Festival, Z.321
- Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
- Come Ye Sons of Art Away, Z.323
- Come, Let Us Drink, catch for 3 voices and continuo, Z.245
- Corinna is divinely fair, song, Z.365
- Cupid, the Slyest Rogue Alive, Z.367
- Down, Down with Bacchus, catch for 3 voices, Z.247
- Fly Bold Rebellion, for soloists, double chorus, strings and continuo, Z.324
- Fly Swift, Ye Hours, Z.369
- From Silent Shades and the Elysian Groves, Z.370, "Bess of Bedlam"
- From rosie bow'rs, song, Z.578/9
- Fye Nay Prithee John
- Hail Gracious Glorianna, Hail!, for 2 voices and continuo
- Hail, Bright Cecilia, Z.328
- Hark, how the wild musicians sing, Z.542
- Hear me, O Lord, the great support, sacred song for alto, tenor, chorus and continuo, Z.133
- Hear my prayer, O God, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus and organ, Z.14
- Hear my prayer, O Lord, for chorus, violins and continuo, Z.15
- Hears not my Phyllis, Z.371
- Here let my life, for 2 voices and continuo
- Hosanna to the Highest, for bass, chorus, and continuo, Z.187
- How Long, Great God?, for soprano and continuo, Z.189
- How Pleasant is this Flowery Plain, for soprano, tenor, 2 recorders, and continuo, Z.543
- How happy's the husband, song, Z. 582/1
- I Gave Her Cakes and I Gave Her Ale, catch for 3 voices, Z.256
- I Love and I Must, Z.382
- I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus, string and organ, Z.19
- I Will Give Thanks Unto Thee, O Lord, Z.20
- I lov'd fair Celia, Z.381
- I resolve against cringing, Z.386
- I take no pleasure in the sun's bright beams, Z.388
- I will love Thee, O Lord, anthem for bass, chorus and organ, Z.67
- I will sing unto the Lord, for soloists, chorus and organ, Z.22
- If Ever I More Riches Did Desire, for 2 sopranos, tenor, bass, 2 violins, and continuo, Z.544
- If Music Be the Food of Love, Z.379
- In Guilty Night, Z.134
- In the midst of life, for soloists, chorus and organ, Z.17a
- In vain we dissemble, Z.385
- Incassum, Lesbia, incassum rogas, Z.383
- Jehova, quam multi sunt, sacred song for tenor, bass, chorus and continuo, Z.135
- Let mine eyes run down with tears, for soloists, chorus and organ, Z.24
- Let the Night Perish, sacred song for soprano, chorus and continuo, Z.191
- Lord, What is Man? for soprano and continuo, Z.192
- Lord, how long wilt Thou be angry, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus and organ, Z.25
- Lost is My Quiet Forever, for 2 voices and continuo, Z.502
- Love's Goddess Sure Was Blind, Z.331
- Lovely Albina's Come Ashore, Z.394
- Mad Bess of Bedlam, "From silent shades"
- Man that is born of a woman, for soprano, alto, tenor, chorus and organ, Z.27
- Me O Ye Gods, for 2 voices and continuo
- Miserere Mei, Z.109
- Morning Service in D major, for soloists, chorus and orchestra, Z.230
- Music for a While, song, Z. 583/2
- My Beloved Spake, Z.28
- My Lady's Coachman, John, catch for 3 voices, Z.260
- My beloved spake, for alto, tenor, 2 basses, chorus, strings and continuo, Z.28
- My heart is inditing, anthem for 2 sopranos, altos, tenors, basses, double chorus, strings and continuo, Z.30
- My heart, whenever you appear, Z.399
- Not All My Torments Can Your Pity Move, Z.400
- Now Does the Glorious Day Appear, for soloists, chorus, violins and continuo, Z.332
- Now That the Sun Hath Veiled His Light, Z.193, "An Evening Hymn on a Ground"
- O God the king of glory, for chorus and organ, Z.34
- O God, Thou hast cast us out, for 2 sopranos, 2 altos, tenor, bass, chorus and organ, Z.36
- O God, thou art my god, for 2 sopranos, alto, tenor, bass, double chorus and organ, Z.35
- O Lord, our Governor, anthem for 3 sopranos, 2 basses, chorus and organ, Z.39
- O Lord, rebuke me not, anthem for 2 sopranos, chorus and organ, Z.40
- O Sing Unto the Lord, Z.44
- O Solitude, My Sweetest Choice, Z.406
- O dive custos Auriacae domus, for 2 sopranos and continuo, Z.504
- O how happy's he, Z.403
- O let me weep, for voice and continuo
- O sing unto the Lord, anthem for soprano, alto, tenor, 2 basses, chorus, 2 violins, viola and organ, Z.44
- O! Fair Cedaria, Hide Those Eyes, Z.402
- Of Old, When Heroes Thought it Base, Z.333, "Yorkshire Feast Song"
- Olinda in the Shades Unseen, Z.404
- On the brow of Richmond Hill, Z.405
- Once, twice, thrice, I Julia tried, catch for 3 voices, Z.265
- Out of the deep have I called, anthem for soprano, alto, bass, chorus and continuo Z.45
- Pious Celinda goes to prayers, song, Z.410
- Pox on You for a Fop, catch for 3 voices, Z.268
- Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, for 2 sopranos, alto, tenor, bass, chorus, 2 violins, viola and organ, Z.46
- Raise, Raise the Voice, for soprano, bass, chorus, 2 violins and continuo, Z.334
- Rashly I swore I would disown, Z.411
- Rejoice in the Lord alway, Z.49, "Bell Anthem"
- Remember not, Lord, our offences, for chorus and organ, Z.50
- Saccharissa's grown old, for 2 voices and continuo, Z.507
- She Loves and She Confesses Too, Z.413
- Since from my dear Astrea's sight, aria for soprano, Z. 627/App2
- Sir Walter Enjoying His Damsel, catch for 3 voices, Z.273
- Sleep, Adam, Sacred Song, for soprano and continuo, Z.195
- Sleep, Adam, for soprano and continuo, Z.195
- Soft Notes and Gently Raised, Z.510, "A Serenading Song"
- Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335
- Stript of Their Green Our Groves Appear, Z.444
- Sweeter than roses, song, Z. 585/1
- Swifter, Isis, Swifter Flow, for soloists, chorus and instruments, Z.336
- Te Deum and Jubilate Deo, for soloists, chorus and instruments in D major, Z.232
- Tell Me, Some Pitying Angel, Z.196, "The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation"
- The Earth Trembled, and Heav'n Closed, sacred song for bass and continuo, Z.197
- The Fatal Hour Comes on Apace, Z.421
- The Miller's Daugter Riding, catch for 3 voices, Z.277
- The Noise of Foreign Wars
- Thou Wakeful Shepherd, for soprano and continuo, Z.198, "Morning Hymn"
- Thus to a ripe, consenting maid, song, Z.607/10
- Tom the Taylor
- Urge Me No More, Z.426
- We sing to Him whose wisdom form'd the ear, sacred song for soprano, chorus of soprano and basso continuo, Z.199
- Welcome to all the Pleasures, Z.339
- What Can We Poor Females Do? for soprano and continuo, Z.429
- When First Amintas Sued for a Kiss, Z.430
- When her languishing eyes said 'love', song, Z.432
- When my Aemelia smiles, Z.434
- Who can behold Florella's charms?, Z.441
- Who hath believed our report?, anthem for alto, 2 tenors, bass, chorus and organ, Z.64
- Why, My Daphne, Why Complaining? for 2 voices and continuo, Z.525
- With Sick and Famish'd Eyes, sacred song for soprano and continuo, Z.200
- Young Thyrsis' fate, ye hills and groves, deplore, song for soprano, bass and continuo, Z.473
- Chamber
- March and Canzona for the Funeral of Queen Mary, for 4 trumpets, Z.860
- 15 Fantasias for viols, D.732-747
- A New Ground, for harpsichord, Z.T682
- Chaconne in F for Recorder
- Chaconne in F for Recorder and Organ
- Chaconne in G minor for 4 Strings, Z.730
- Chacony in G minor, for chamber ensemble, Z.730
- Fantasia a4 in A minor, Z.744
- Fantasia in D upon a Ground for 3 Violins and Continuo, Z.731
- Here, the deities approve, for chamber ensemble
- In Nomine of seven parts, for chamber ensemble
- In Nomine of six parts, for chamber ensemble
- Overture and Suite in G major, Z.770
- Overture in D minor, Z.771
- Overture in G minor, Z.772
- Pavan in A major, Z.748
- Pavan in A minor, Z.749
- Pavan in B flat major for 2 Violins, Z.750
- Pavan in G minor for 3 Violins, Z.752
- Pavan in G minor, Z.751
- Pavane and Chaconne
- Prelude in F for Solo Recorder
- Prelude in G minor for Solo Violin, Z.773
- Prelude, for violin solo in G minor, ZN 773
- Sonata a4 no. 1 in B minor, Z.802
- Sonata a4 no. 10 in D major, Z.811
- Sonata a4 no. 2 in E flat major, Z.803
- Sonata a4 no. 3 in A minor, Z.804
- Sonata a4 no. 4 in D minor, Z.805
- Sonata a4 no. 5 in G minor, Z.806
- Sonata a4 no. 6 in G minor, Z.807
- Sonata a4 no. 7 in C major, Z.808
- Sonata a4 no. 8 in G minor, Z.809
- Sonata a5 in D major, Z.850
- Sonata in C major, for trumpet, strings and organ
- Suite for Trumpet and Organ
- The Staircase Overture, Z.614
- Theater Suite, for chamber ensemble
- Three Parts Upon a Ground, for chamber ensemble
- Trio Sonata in G minor, Z.780
- Trio Sonata no. 1 in G minor, Z.790
- Trio Sonata no. 10 in A major, Z.799
- Trio Sonata no. 11 in F minor, Z.800
- Trio Sonata no. 2 in B flat major, Z.791
- Trio Sonata no. 3 in D minor, Z.792
- Trio Sonata no. 4 in F major, Z.793
- Trio Sonata no. 5 in A minor, Z.794
- Trio Sonata no. 6 in C major, Z.795
- Trio Sonata no. 7 in E minor, Z.796
- Trio Sonata no. 8 in G major, Z.797
- Trio Sonata no. 9 in C minor, Z.798
- Trio Sonata no. 9 in F, Z.810, "The Golden Sonata"
- Trio Sonta no. 12 in D major, Z.801
- Trumpet Sonata in D major, Z. 850
- Trumpet Sonata in D major, Z.850
- Keyboard
- 8 Suites, Z.660-669
- A New Ground in E minor, Z.682
- A New Irish Tune in G major, Z.646, "Lilliburlero"
- A New Minuet in D minor, Z.689
- A New Scotch Tune in G major, Z.655
- Air in G major, Z.641
- Chaconne in G minor, Z.680
- Ground in C minor, Z.681
- Ground in Gamut in G major, Z.645
- Hornpipe in B flat major, Z.683
- Hornpipe in D minor, Z.684, "Round O' from 'Abdelazar"
- Hornpipe in E minor, Z.685
- Jig in G minor, Z.686
- March in C major, Z.647
- March in C major, Z.648
- Minuet in D minor, Z.688
- Minuet in A minor, Z.649
- Minuet in A minor, Z.650
- Miscellaneous pieces from Oxford manuscripts
- Musick's Handmaid
- Rigadoon in C major, Z.653
- Round-O, Z.684
- Saraband in A minor, Z.654
- Sefauchi's Farewell in D minor, Z.656
- Trumpet Minuet in D
- Trumpet Tune and Air, for keyboard
- Trumpet Tune in C, Z.678, "Cibell"
- Trumpet Tune in D
- Trumpet Voluntary in D
- Verse in F major, Z.716
- Verse in the Phrygian mode, Z.126
- Voluntary for Double Organ, Z.719
- Voluntary in C major, Z.717
- Voluntary in D minor, Z.718
- Voluntary in G major, Z.720
- Voluntary on the 100th Psalm in A major, Z.721