English Baroque Composer. Possibly the younger brother or cousin of famed Baroque composer Henry Purcell, nothing is known of his early life except that he joined the choir of the Chapel Royal at about the age of 14. In his mid-twenties he was appointed organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, England where he began to write music. I n 1695 he moved to London to compose for the theatre, providing incidental music for more than 40 plays. One of his first engagements was to complete the concluding Masque for Act V of the semi-opera "The Indian Queen" for which the preceding music for which had been written by Henry Purcell during the early months of 1695. In 1701 he placed third in a competition for the best musical setting of William Congreve's masque, "The Judgment of Paris." His instrumental compositions were published around 1710 included sets of sonatas and trio sonatas for recorder in addition to works for violin. In 1713 he was appointed organist of St Andrew's, Holborn, England, a position he held until his death.
English Baroque Composer. Possibly the younger brother or cousin of famed Baroque composer Henry Purcell, nothing is known of his early life except that he joined the choir of the Chapel Royal at about the age of 14. In his mid-twenties he was appointed organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, England where he began to write music. I n 1695 he moved to London to compose for the theatre, providing incidental music for more than 40 plays. One of his first engagements was to complete the concluding Masque for Act V of the semi-opera "The Indian Queen" for which the preceding music for which had been written by Henry Purcell during the early months of 1695. In 1701 he placed third in a competition for the best musical setting of William Congreve's masque, "The Judgment of Paris." His instrumental compositions were published around 1710 included sets of sonatas and trio sonatas for recorder in addition to works for violin. In 1713 he was appointed organist of St Andrew's, Holborn, England, a position he held until his death.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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