(July 7) Episode 729 is HENRY PURCELL. One of the most revered English composers of all time, he composed in the middle Baroque period, a generation before Handel and Bach. He was quite prolific (this was a slog), especially when you consider he died at age 36. A large portion of his compositions are vocal/choral, and if you enjoy late-17th century songs, Purcell is the guy for you. He also wrote a lot of incidental music for plays, including a couple based on versions of Shakespeare’s works. His most recognizable piece, at least to us Americans, may be the Queen Mary Funeral Music for its role in A Clockwork Orange.
Favorite piece: Funeral Sentences and Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary
Master work: Dido and Aeneas
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: It’s fine Baroque music, but my untrained ear has a hard time distinguishing one Baroque composer from another (except for J.S. Bach)
Opus Project 