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 3 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
While Thirsis Wrapp'd — —— harpsichord, VoiceClassical 4
Pious Celinda — —— harpsichord, VoiceClassical 7
I Lov'd Fair Celia — —— harpsichord, VoiceClassical 5
Dialogue of Corydon and Mopsa — —— —Classical 8
Largo — —— OrganClassical 6
Vol. 1 - Rigadoon — —— CelloClassical 6
Trumpet Tune Additional credits William Croft — —— PianoClassical 4
Processional [Z. 678] — —— PianoClassical 4
A Farewell — —— PianoClassical 6
Proper Tune — —— Cello, violin, ViolaClassical 7
Scottish Tune — —— FluteClassical 6
Marche In C — —— PianoClassical 7
Suite in G Major — —G major Piano, OrganClassical 6
Air in D minor: Clarine — —D minor —— 4
Lilliburlero: Clarine — —— —— 3
Lilliburlero: Flut — —— —— 3
Lilliburlero: Trombon — —— —— 3
Abdelazar: Festival Rondeau: Trumpet — —— —— 4
Air: Trumpe — —— —— 4
Lilliburlero: Tub — —— —— 5
Ah, Belinda, I Am Prest — —— Low VoiceClassical 6
Cease, O My Sad Soul — —— Voice, Low VoiceClassical 6
Not all my torments — —— harpsichord, Voice, Low VoiceClassical 9
O, Lead Me To Some Peaceful Gloom — —— Low VoiceClassical 7
An Evening Hymn — —— Low VoiceClassical 7
There's Not A Swain On The Plain — —— Voice, Low VoiceClassical 7
Come All Ye Songsters — —— Low VoiceClassical 6
Fairest Isle (from 'King Arthur') — —— Piano— 5
Hornpipe in G minor from King Arthur — —G minor PianoClassical 13
16. Chorus: Ho! Ho! Ho! — —— ChoirClassical 4
I was glad when they said unto me — —— Voice, bass, Tenor, Choir, AltoClassical 6
In these delightful, pleasant groves — —— Cello, violin, Voice, Choir, A Cappella, ViolaClassical 6
On the Brow of Richmond Hill — —— harpsichord, Voice, Voice High, Low VoiceClassical 7
I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly In Vain (The Indian Queen) — —— Piano, Voice, Voice High, Low VoiceClassical 4
What Shall I Do To Show How Much I Love Her (Dioclesian) — —— Voice High, Low VoiceClassical 3
2. You twice ten hundred Deities — —— —Classical 3
We The Spirits Of The Air — —— Piano, Organ, VoiceClassical 5
"Minuet in A minor, Z. 649" — —A minor Piano, Organ— 5
4. Trumpet Tune, Called the Cebell — —— Piano, harpsichordClassical 2
4. Prelude — —— Piano, Guitar, harpsichord, Voice, Choir, Timpani, Recorder, percussionClassical 3
Christmas Songs — —— PianoClassical 4
Fanfare in C Major — —C major OrganClassical 3
Voluntary for Double Organ — —— Piano, OrganClassical 7
Voluntary in D minor — —D minor OrganClassical 4
Draw Near, You Lovers — —— harpsichord, VoiceClassical 5
He Himself Courts — —— harpsichord, VoiceClassical 5
I take no pleasure — —— harpsichord, VoiceClassical 8
Let Each Gallant Heart — —— harpsichord, VoiceClassical 6

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.