Henry Purcell Essays

  • Biography Of Henry Purcell

    2474 Words  | 5 Pages

    Farrah Pukin Chorus Essay Marking Period 3 4/4/14 Henry Purcell was a common composer in the 17th century. He was born on September 10th, 1659 in St. Ann’s Lane old Pye Street; Westminster. This area was known as Devil’s acre which was considered one of the worst areas in London; it is central London lying right on the river Thames’ north bank. Purcell had two other brothers: Edward and Daniel Purcell. Daniel Purcell was the youngest brother and he was also known as the famous composer who wrote

  • Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the dedication of Henry Purcell’s opera, Dioclesian, to the Duke of Somerset, he declared, "As Poetry is the harmony of Words, so Music is that of Notes; and as Poetry is a rise above Prose and Oratory, so is Music the exaltation of Poetry. Both of them may excel apart, but sure they are most excellent when they are joined, because nothing is then wanting to either of their perfections: for thus they appear like wit and beauty in the same person." Henry Purcell was a prolific English composer

  • Dido And Aeneas Analysis

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, thought to be composed around 1685, is based on book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid and was perhaps in response to John Blow’s Venus and Adonis (perhaps need a reference-wording quite similar). Instead of being performed for royalty, however, Dido and Aeneas’ only documented performance in Purcell’s lifetime was at a boarding school for girls in Chelsea, though some believe it was performed in court some years earlier (reference). He once stated, "as poetry is the harmony

  • Baroque, British Rock and Compositional Similarities

    1600 Words  | 4 Pages

    through both instrumental and vocal music, consistent rhythmic patterns, terraced dynamics that change suddenly rather than gradually, basso continuo, complex melodies, and polyphonic textures (Kamien 148). Composers like Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Bach, Purcell, and Handel were prominent during the European Baroque period and composed both sacred and secular music: operas, oratorios, cantatas, concertos, and suites (“Baroque Music”). British Rock is the blanket term for music of the alternative genre made

  • The Cold Song by Henry Purcell

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    Judith Schaecter’s stained glass piece Cold Genius is inspired by song, as are many of her pieces. This piece in particular takes inspiration from “The Cold Song”, an aria written by Henry Purcell about a Cold Genius who recognizes the power of love to thaw the harshest winter (Cold Genius, 2009). Although it has many references to traditional stained glass scenes found in Christian churches, particularly in the intricate folds of the fabric, this stained glass piece is very distinct. To exaggerate

  • The Reflection Of Western Music By Henry Purcell

    1071 Words  | 3 Pages

    vocals. The composer that I have chosen to reflect and also provide an analysis on is Henry Purcell. Firstly, Henry Purcell was brought up in England, where he became one of England’s best composer of the entire Baroque era. He has composed all forms of musical pieces, some which were included in Shakespeare’s play opera as well as a coronation. He was the organist for Westminster Abbey. It is stated that, Purcell was an ambitious composer who incorporated newer defined pieces with old historical

  • Henry Purcell In A Midsummer Night's Dream

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    Henry Purcell was a British composer who was born in Westminster, United Kingdom on September 10th, 1659. His father was a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, where musicians for the royal service were trained, starting Purcell’s earliest education as a chorister. In 1673, Purcell’s voice began to break causing him to be appointed to assist John Hingston, keeper of the King’s instruments, whom he succeeded in 1683. From 1674 to 1678 Purcell tuned the organ at Westminster and was employed there in 1675

  • How Does Henry Purcell Analyse

    767 Words  | 2 Pages

    An Analysis of Henry Purcell and his “Ode to St. Cecilia” Ian Shanks MUS 265: History of Western Music to 1750 12/7/15 Henry Purcell is widely regarded as one of the greatest English composers of all time. He composed music covering a wide field: the church, the court and the stage. Among his works are over one hundred songs, incidental music to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and the beloved opera, Dido and Aeneas. Henry Purcell began the series of St. Cecilia's Day odes

  • Summary Of The Song 'Fair Phyllis'

    501 Words  | 2 Pages

    The song that I picked from the Renaissance era is Fair Phyllis which is also called Fair Phyllis I saw which was composed by John Farmer on 1599. Born in England 1570, Farmer was a composer and beforehand worked as an organist in the Renaissance era and his music advanced and had a huge impact on the development of English madrigal separating it from its Italian legacy. He later published one book of Marginals and during his career, his work made an extraordinary achievement including this piece

  • Edward Benjamin Britten

    1977 Words  | 4 Pages

    Edward Benjamin Britten is an iconic figure of 20th-century British classical music. His works range from orchestral and chamber compositions, to full operas and other vocal music. Some scholars view Britten’s operatic works as masterpieces, and applaud him for his sincere ability and interpretation of theme, characterization, and melodic contour. An opera that is taken from an already whimsical Shakespearean play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is of valuable evidence that Britten embodied a rare

  • Social History and Monodrama Forms: Box The Pony by Leah Purcell and Scott Rankin

    1766 Words  | 4 Pages

    can be successfully presented through the monodrama form. ‘Monodrama is a complete theatrical work and performed by one actor who portrays either a single character, or multiple characters in the dramatic situation.’ (Mackenzie, D., 1996:46). Leah Purcell and Scott Rankin’s Box the Pony (1999), and Sancia Robinson and Wendy Harmer’s What is the Matter with Mary Jane? (1996) are two very exceptional, yet adversative styles of monodrama. Both play-texts carry personal, positive and affirming messages

  • Is Utopia Possible?

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    will it still be perfect for both of us? Utopia is a nonexistent, but absolutely perfect place, as we can see from the beginning of the word in 1516 by Sir Thomas More. More was one of Henry VIII's main councilors. He fell out of favor with the king when he did not sign a letter urging the pope to divorce Henry and Catherine. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London because his going against the king was treason; he was beheaded. It is strange that a man with such a life, and such an end,

  • The Selfishness Of Man in Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Selfishness of Man Cultural and economical pressures often lead people to behave corruptly. In John Steinbeck?s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, set in the dustbowl era, people act out of greed rather than out of consideration or kindness. Tom Joad and his family have been run off their land by inconsiderate, money hungry businessmen who do not care about the impact homelessness will have on the evictees. The story revolves around the Joad Family?s trip (joined by former preacher Casey) from Oklahoma

  • The Economic Boom of the 1920's

    1186 Words  | 3 Pages

    train industry was the largest industry there was. The assembly line made mass production possible, and the industry boomed. "The Economic Boom". America was now a very powerful envy of many countries. America had High production and low unemployment Henry Ford's assembly line in Detroit was the largest one in the country. When Ford first started making cars, the only car he made was a black Model-T. Almost everybody in the United States had a car. Three-out-of-four families owned one or more cars. With

  • The Defense of Henry Sweet

    2569 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Defense of Henry Sweet For this assignment, I found a speech that was given by a famous defense attorney named Clarence Darrow. This speech is his closing remarks to the all-white jury in defense of a black man named Henry Sweet. The trial took place in Detroit, Michigan in May of 1926. Henry Sweet was accused of first-degree murder. I chose this text for my paper because it had more persuasive techniques in it than anything else I came across. Which is to be expected, because after all

  • Red Badge Of Courage

    2140 Words  | 5 Pages

    argues with Jim that it is a lie. While this argument is taking place, the youthful soldier and main character in the story, Henry Fleming, is listening attentively. He then thinks what his reaction to fighting in battle will be. A flashback to when he first enlisted against his mother’s wishes occurs. He remembers fantasies of glorious and bloody wars of times past. Henry thinks that war is a courageous adventure. This transports us to a different setting at his farmhouse. During this time, the

  • Evolution of the Automobile Industry and Henry Ford

    1367 Words  | 3 Pages

    Evolution of the Automobile Industry and Henry Ford Henry Ford, "the high priest of efficiency," was the tinkerer-craftsman who produced one of many horseless carriages, the automobile. Nearly three years after his only son was born in 1893, Ford succeeded in producing his first car. After months of vigorous work and two final sleepless nights, the Quadricycle tolled out of Ford's garage. The Quadricycle was a primitive machine, with a tiller for a steering wheel, bicycle tires, a bicycle seat

  • The Red Badge Of Courage Essay

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    change. In The Red Badge of Courage, the main character, Henry Fleming, undergoes a character change that shows how people must overcome their fears and the invisible barriers that hold them back from being the best people—warriors, in the sense that life is war—they can be. Henry has a character change that represents how all humans have general sense of fear of the unknown that must be overcome. In the first part of the novel, Henry is a youth that is very inexperienced. His motives were

  • life

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    Oh What an Ironic World William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was widely known for his short stories. He is often reffered to as the "Master of Short Stories." His stories were filled with twist and irony within the plot. "Some have called him the American Maupassant because of his so well made surprising endings" (Online). In 1908 critic Henry James Forman wrote that "No talent could be more original or more delightful. The combination of technical excellence with whimsical

  • Paul Rubens and the Baroque Period

    1047 Words  | 3 Pages

    Paul Rubens and the Baroque Period For this formal analysis paper I would like to talk about a painting done by the artist named Peter Paul Reubens. The piece itself is entitled, "The Apotheosis of Henry IV and the Proclamation of the Regency of Marie de Medicis on May 14, 1610." The painting was completed in the year 1610, and today it is on display at the Louvre in Paris, France. This painting was one of many that I had to choose from when I was deciding on what to write about. Many internet