Henry Purcell

by Peter Holman

Overview

This book, the first general survey of Purcell's music in a generation, is published to coincide with the tercentenary of his death. It is the first book to explore in detail the historical context of Purcell's music, dealing fully with the institutions he worked for, the origin and development of the various genres to which he contributed, and the sources of his music. In the process, a new picture of Purcell's creative personality emerges: a composer obsessed with formal counterpoint, extraordinarily well-versed in English music of the previous century, yet eager to embrace up-to-date features of the Italian style in the 1680s.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198163411
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/23/1995
Series:	Oxford Studies of Composers
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	268
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.68(d)
Lexile:	1620L (what's this?)

About the Author

Colchester Institute of Music

Editorial Reviews

"Clarifies brilliantly the musical context of Purcell's work....Throughout, the reader will find reasoned enthusiasm, generous acknowledgment of prior scholars, commonsense judgments, and many thought-provoking facts and ideas....Bravo!"—Choice

"This is a balanced study, strong in scholarship and analysis, full of performance information....Strongly recommended to those searching for a comprehensive reassessment of Purcell's music."—BBC Music Magazine

"Comparison with the old Master Musicians volume is inevitable, but Holman meets it well. He takes account of the latest research, and his intimate, performer's knowledge of the music gives his critical judgments real authority."—Observer Review

"The great merits of the book derive from the fact that the author knows the music well both as scholar and as performer and similarly knows the music by Purcell's predecessors and contemporaries....It is as clear as its subject allows and perserverence is rewarding. It provides context and evaluation: two vital elements which so many books on music fudge. This may safely be bought now without fear that any of the forthcoming Purcell books will make it redundant."—Early Music Review

"A balanced study of Pucell's music...his discussion of music is insightful, and his observations concerning instrumental developments are particularly valuable."—Classical Music

From the Publisher