HENRY PURCELL Funeral Music for Queen Mary
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1659 in London , U . K .; died 1695 in London , U . K .
• Henry Purcell grew up in London near Westminster Abbey . After his father passed away , Purcell was raised by his uncle , who was a musician .
• Henry sang as a chorister in his youth and is thought to have composed his first piece at nine years old .
• Upon completing his studies , Purcell won a job as the organist for Westminster Abbey . While working as an organist , Purcell wrote a great deal of sacred music and music for theater .
• Sadly , Purcell passed away at only 35 or 36 years old ( historians are unsure of his exact date of birth ). Purcell is considered one of the greatest English composers of all time . He is buried adjacent to the organ in Westminster Abbey .
ABOUT THE PIECE
• In 1695 , Purcell composed a setting as part of the Anglican Burial Service for Queen Mary II ’ s funeral at Westminster Abbey .
• Purcell passed away the same year , and the piece was also performed at his own funeral . Funeral Music for Queen Mary has been used throughout pop culture , most notably Stanley Kubrick ’ s A Clockwork Orange .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1695
MUSIC J . S . Bach ’ s Fugue in E Minor
LITERATURE John Locke ’ s Further Considerations Concerning Raising the Value of Money
HISTORY Nine Years ’ War
10 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA