A city in turmoil

Available for 27 days

Donald Macleod explores Henry Purcell’s childhood in London – at the time a city in turmoil – and Purcell’s youth as a chorister in the Chapel Royal. Henry Purcell was the most important English composer of the era, described as the "Orpheus Britannicus" for his ability to combine Baroque counterpoint with dramatic settings of English words. He composed music for the church, the royal court, the theatre and for England’s newly emerging concert scene, with an intelligence and creativity that marked him out as one of the most original composers in all of Europe. More than anything, though, he composed music for London – the city where he lived all of his short life. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores the city during Purcell’s lifetime and London’s effect on a man who lays claim to being England’s greatest composer. During Purcell’s childhood, it was a city reeling from civil war, the disastrous spread of disease, and the destruction wreaked by the Great Fire. We’ll explore London’s churches, and music Purcell wrote for them, especially Westminster Abbey, where Purcell was organist, the state of London’s theatre scene in Purcell’s day, and the changing demands for music from the various monarchs of the composer’s lifetime. Finally, Donald explores London’s response to the shock of Purcell’s death in his mid-30s, and the tributes paid to the composer from his own Fairest Isle. In Monday’s episode, Donald navigates through the scarcity of facts to explore Henry Purcell’s childhood in a very different London to the one we know today. It was a city in turmoil, with the restoration of King Charles II, the plague and the Great Fire of London all causing their own upheavals. He also explores London’s relationship with music and Purcell’s youth as a chorister in the Chapel Royal. Fairest Isle from King Arthur Andrea Haines, soprano Voces8 Les Inventions Hail Bright Cecilia (Symphony & Closing Chorus “Hail! Bright Cecilia”) Collegium Vocale Choir & Orchestra Philippe Herreweghe, director Welcome Song from Swifter, Isis, Swifter Flow, Z 336 The Sixteen The Sixteen Orchestra Harry Christophers, director What hope for us remains now he is gone?, Z 472 Julie Hassler, soprano La Rêveuse Benjamin Perrot, director Suite from Abdelazer Parley of Instruments Peter Holman, conductor Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Composer of the Week."