Henry Purcell |
Henry Purcell is considered
one of the greatest composers of England. He imbued Italian
and French influences into his Baroque music, but still managed
to keep his music very typically English.
He was probably born in 1659, in London. In 1669 he was
chorister at the Royal Chapel until his voice broke in 1673.
He then held other positions, all connected to the Royal Chapel:
assistant-treasurer of the Royal Instrument Collection, copyist
and was responsible for the tuning of the great Westminster
pipe organ. He also took lessons in composition from John
Blow, with the result in 1677 of being appointed "composer
without fee to His Majesty". This was the start of a
great career as a composer.
In the mean time, he married Frances Peters, who gave
birth to their 6 children. At court he survived the frivolities
of his King and the intrigues of the king's successors. He
composed unperturbed and assured his future by making theatre
music. On November 21, 1695 Purcell died as a consequence
of pneumonia. He was only 36 years old.
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Henry Purcell
1659 - 1695
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We are glad to provide a fragment
of his music. Use the music player beneath. The performers
are 'The Adhocsingers'. This choir specializes in choir
music and literature from the 15th thru 20th centuries.
The song presented "Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes
mei" is based on Psalms 3.
A special Thank You to 'The
Adhocsingers' for their kind permission to use this
music fragment on our website. |
Music piece:
Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei
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Jehova,
quam multi sunt hostes mei!
Quam multi insurgunt contra me.
Quam multi dicunt de anima mea;
non est ulla salus isti in Deo plane.
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Jehovah,
how many are my enemies,
how many rise up against me,
how many say of my soul:
Clearly there is no salvation for it in God. |
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At tu, Jehova,
clypeus es circa me;
gloria mea, et extollens caput meum.
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But thou, Jehovah,
art a shield around me,
my glory and the lifter up of my head. |
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Voce mea ad Jehovam
clamanti,
respondit mihi e monte sanctitatis suae maxime.
Ego cubui et dormivi, ego expergefeci me;
quia Jehova
sustentat me.
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With my voice crying to Jehovah,
he replied to me mightily from the mountain of
his holiness.
I lay down and slept, I rose up again,
for Jehovah
sustained me. |
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Non timebo a myriadibus populi,
quas circumdisposuerint metatores contra me.
Surge, Jehova,
fac salvum me Deus mi;
qui percussisti omnes inimicos meos maxilliam,
dentes improborum confregisti.
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I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the
people,
whom surveyors have placed around against me.
Arise, Jehovah,
help me, O my God;
for thou who smitest all mine enemies upon the
cheekbone,
thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. |
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Jehova
est salus:
super populum tuum sit benedictio tua maxime. |
Jehovah
is salvation:
may thy blessing be greatly upon thy people.
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