Keyboard Works

by Henry Purcell

Renowned for the originality of his music and his gifts as a melodist, Henry Purcell (1659–1695) was the preeminent English composer of the seventeenth century and one of the greatest that nation has ever produced. His gifts are apparent not only in the vocal and orchestral works on which his fame rests, but in his delightful keyboard music, much of which is relatively simple and easy to perform. This volume is a near-complete collection of Purcell's keyboard compositions, including the eight suites, the core of his keyboard works. Also included are many miscellaneous one-movement airs, trumpet tunes (for harpsichord solo), grounds, preludes, dances, etc.

Piano students and pianists of intermediate skills will enjoy these pieces for their charm and accessibility. Gathered here in one convenient, inexpensive volume, they offer a treasury of time-honored music that musicians and music lovers will turn to again and again.

This volume has been edited with a preface by the noted music scholar William Barclay Squire.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1990

About the author

Baroque composer Henry Purcell served, at various times in his life, as organ tuner, "composer-in-ordinary," organist, and composer to the royal family. He is probably best known for his stage music, including The Fairy Queen (1692) and the opera, Dido and Aeneas (1689). He composed more than 250 pieces of music in his lifetime, including secular songs, religious anthems, pieces for instrumental ensemble, and works for harpsichord.

More information can be found here:

http://www.naxos.com/person/Henry_Pur...