大象传媒

Donald Macleod explores Henry Purcell鈥檚 childhood in London 鈥� at the time a city in turmoil 鈥� and Purcell鈥檚 youth as a chorister in the Chapel Royal.

Henry Purcell was the most important English composer of the era, described as the "Orpheus Britannicus" for his ability to combine Baroque counterpoint with dramatic settings of English words. He composed music for the church, the royal court, the theatre and for England鈥檚 newly emerging concert scene, with an intelligence and creativity that marked him out as one of the most original composers in all of Europe. More than anything, though, he composed music for London 鈥� the city where he lived all of his short life. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores the city during Purcell鈥檚 lifetime and London鈥檚 effect on a man who lays claim to being England鈥檚 greatest composer. During Purcell鈥檚 childhood, it was a city reeling from civil war, the disastrous spread of disease, and the destruction wreaked by the Great Fire. We鈥檒l explore London鈥檚 churches, and music Purcell wrote for them, especially Westminster Abbey, where Purcell was organist, the state of London鈥檚 theatre scene in Purcell鈥檚 day, and the changing demands for music from the various monarchs of the composer鈥檚 lifetime. Finally, Donald explores London鈥檚 response to the shock of Purcell鈥檚 death in his mid-30s, and the tributes paid to the composer from his own Fairest Isle.

In Monday鈥檚 episode, Donald navigates through the scarcity of facts to explore Henry Purcell鈥檚 childhood in a very different London to the one we know today. It was a city in turmoil, with the restoration of King Charles II, the plague and the Great Fire of London all causing their own upheavals. He also explores London鈥檚 relationship with music and Purcell鈥檚 youth as a chorister in the Chapel Royal.

Fairest Isle from King Arthur
Andrea Haines, soprano
Voces8
Les Inventions

Hail Bright Cecilia (Symphony & Closing Chorus 鈥淗ail! Bright Cecilia鈥�)
Collegium Vocale Choir & Orchestra
Philippe Herreweghe, director

Welcome Song from Swifter, Isis, Swifter Flow, Z 336
The Sixteen
The Sixteen Orchestra
Harry Christophers, director

What hope for us remains now he is gone?, Z 472
Julie Hassler, soprano
La R锚veuse
Benjamin Perrot, director

Suite from Abdelazer
Parley of Instruments
Peter Holman, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for 大象传媒 Audio Wales & West

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