Marissa Towell

 Born- September 10, 1659, Westminster, United Kingdom  Died- November 21, 1695, Westminster, United Kingdom  Father was a musician at the court of Charles II  got his first job as a court composer for the Twenty-Four Violins for the king  became an organist at Westminster Abbey  was appointed as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal  William and Mary were crowned, resulting in fewer opportunities at court for composers, so Purcell turned to the theater

 What made Purcell’s music unique is his adventurousness in harmony and risk taking compositions Decorated melodies Many independent lines working simultaneously Regular rhythms (which fell chugging or jumpy) Regular changes in harmony

 After his death, John Blow wrote An Ode, on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell (Mark how the lark and linnet sing)  Influenced other English composers, such as Benjamin Britten, who wrote The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, based off of Abdelazar  Honoured with Bach and Handel with a feast day on July 28 th  The Who claimed Purcell’s harmonies as an influence their music

 Some of his most well known pieces include- Dido and Aeneas Abdelazer Rondeau A A The Fairy-Queen (semi-opera) King Arthur  Trumpet Voluntary- Jeremiah Clarke gnEM58 gnEM58

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