JustSheetMusic
Portrait of Henry Purcell

Composer

Henry Purcell

1659–1695

1,644 works in the index

Born
1659
Died
1695
Birthplace
Westminster
Citizenship / historical state
Kingdom of England
Period (estimated from birth year)
Baroque

Biography

Purcell is the last great English composer before the twentieth century and wrote for a world of theatre music, court odes and church anthems that no longer exists, which makes the practical repertoire smaller than the catalogue suggests.

What singers actually use are the songs and the Dido and Aeneas arias, and 'When I am laid in earth' is one of the most-performed pieces in this index. Keyboard players have the harpsichord suites and the grounds, several of which are accessible early. Choirs have the anthems and the funeral music.

His notation leaves ornaments and continuo to convention even more than his continental contemporaries, so editions differ substantially. For the songs in particular, a realised edition with a written-out keyboard part is worth having unless you are able to play from a figured bass.

In this catalogue

Common listed instruments
Voice, Piano, harpsichord, Organ, Choir
Genres represented
Classical, pop, Baroque, Pop, Latin
Works with composition dates
12 of 1,644

These details describe the indexed sheet music, including arrangements.

Catalogue

Works page 13 of 35

Years are composition dates where known. Instruments describe editions in our catalogue and may include arrangements. A dash means the detail is not recorded.

Works and available sheet music details
WorkYear composedCatalogue / opusKey in titleListed instrumentsGenreEditions
Wayfarin' Stranger — —— Recorder— 2
What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor? — —— Recorder— 2
When The Saints Go Marching In — —— Recorder— 1
Mad Bess — —— Voice, RecorderClassical 5
Shepherd, Shepherd, May Invites You — —— RecorderClassical 3
Kind Fortune Smiles — —— RecorderClassical 5
Symphony from 'great Parent, Hail' — —— harpsichord, strings, bass, Tenor, Alto, RecorderClassical 3
Third Act Tune — —— RecorderClassical 3
Battle Scene — —— RecorderClassical 3
Sur Le Pont De Nantes — —— RecorderClassical 1
The Bells Of Vendome — —— RecorderClassical 1
The Gospel Train — —— RecorderClassical 2
Tiger — —— RecorderClassical 2
Volga Boatman's Song — —— RecorderClassical 1
When V and I Together Meet Now — —— RecorderClassical 1
Let Us Drink to the Blades — —— RecorderClassical 0
Sum Up All The Delights — —— RecorderClassical 1
2. Song-tune I — —— Piano, Organ, violinClassical 3
4. Aire I — —— Piano, Organ, violinClassical 2
9. Chacone — —— Piano, violinClassical 2
4. Since Time So Kind — —— CelloClassical 1
3. Water Music, HWV : Allegro — —— TrumpetClassical 2
Sonata For 2 Tpts (Purcell H) — —— TrumpetClassical 2
Nepal Sunrise — —— GuitarClassical 2
Rondeau from the Fairy Queen — —— Guitar— 4
Trumpet Tune from King Arthur — —— GuitarClassical 1
Horn Pipe — —— MandolinClassical 2
'Tis holiday — —— VoiceClassical 4
Pursue thy conquest, love — —— —Classical 4
Mystery's Song — —— Piano, VoiceClassical 2
Full Of Wrath, His Threat'ning Breath — —— VoiceClassical 1
It Must Be Done, My Soul — —— VoiceClassical 2
O Lord Our Governor — —— Voice, Tenor, AltoClassical 0
O, I'm Sick Of Life — —— VoiceClassical 1
Since God So Tender A Regard — —— VoiceClassical 1
When On My Sick Bed I Languish — —— VoiceClassical 1
As Roger Last Night — —— —Classical 2
Down, Down With Bacchus — —— —Classical 0
Drink On Till Night Be Spent — —— —Classical 0
Pox On You For A Fop — —— —Classical 0
Since The Duke Is Return'd — —— —Classical 1
'tis Women Makes Us Love — —— —Classical 2
To All Lovers Of Music — —— —Classical 2
True Englishman Drink — —— —Classical 0
Under This Stone Lies Gabriel John — —— —Classical 0
Behold Ye Man — —— VoiceClassical 1
Celia (Cynthia) Frowns — —— VoiceClassical 2
Departing Thus - I Envy Not — —— VoiceClassical 1

Biographical record: Wikidata, matched on name and checked against dates held in the catalogue. The period label is an estimate from birth year. The biography above is our own. Authority record: VIAF 5118737. Portrait: anonymous, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.