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 20 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
Spite Of The God Head — —— VoiceClassical 0
The Loyal Delights Of A Contented Mind — —— VoiceClassical 1
The Thraldom — —— VoiceClassical 0
When My Aemelia Smiles — —— VoiceClassical 0
When Thirsis Did The Splendid Eye — —— VoiceClassical 0
Why So Serious — —— VoiceClassical 0
Nina (Pergolesi) — —— PianoClassical 5
Dirge And Canzona — —— OrganClassical 2
"A New Scotch Tune, Z. 655" — —— Organ— 1
"March in C, Z. 647" — —— Organ— 1
Pavan In G Minor — —G minor Piano, OrganClassical 1
Who Hath Believed Our Report? — —— Organ, bass, Tenor, AltoClassical 0
First Act Tune — —— OrganClassical 1
Prelude, From Suite V — —— PianoClassical 2
Passing By — —— Low VoiceClassical 2
5. Air Allegro — —— Piano, Organ, Flute, violinClassical 0
Come, Shepherds — —— VoiceClassical 2
Thou Doting Fool — —— VoiceClassical 2
1. Overture — —— —— 20
Trumpet Tune - Set of Parts — —— —Classical 1
Rondo - Tuba — —— —Classical 1
Trumpet Tune - B-flat Trumpet — —— —Classical 1
Music for Queen Mary II - Trombone in B-flat TC — —— —Classical 1
Solitude - Score — —— Voice, ContinuoClassical 1
Suite from The Fairy Queen - Trumpet in E-flat 3 — —— —Classical 1
Suite from The Fairy Queen - Bass Trombone — —— —Classical 1
Air & Allegro - Euphonium 2 BC — —— TubaClassical 1
Abdelazer Suite - Tuba — —— —Classical 1
Sonata - Horn in F — —— —Classical 1
Trumpet Tune - Organ — —— —Classical 1
Trumpet Tune and Peal - Horn — —— —Classical 1
Allegretto and Allegro - Tuba — —— —Classical 1
Rondo - Score — —— —Classical 1
Rondo - Score and Parts — —— —Classical 1
Music for Queen Mary II - B-flat Cornet 1 — —— —Classical 1
Music for Queen Mary II - Tenor Trombone — —— —Classical 1
The Golden Sonata - Violin 1 — —— ContinuoClassical 1
Suite from The Fairy Queen - B-flat Trumpet 4 — —— —Classical 1
Suite from The Fairy Queen - Tuba — —— —Classical 1
5 Pieces from the Faery Queen - B-flat Trumpet 1 — —— —Classical 1
5 Pieces from the Faery Queen - Tuba — —— —Classical 1
Three Tunes from Musicks Hand-Maid - Clarinet in B-flat — —— PianoClassical 1
Catches No. 72 - 83 from The Catch Book - Score — —— —Classical 1
Catches No. 96 -108 from The Catch Book - Score — —— —Classical 1
Ayre and Chaconne - Score — —— Piano, FluteClassical 1
Indian Queen Suite - Trumpet 2 in B-flat — —— —Classical 1
Air & Allegro - Euphonium 2 TC — —— TubaClassical 1
Ode on St. Cecilia's Day - Horn in F — —— —Classical 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.