London's city spires

Available for 28 days

Donald takes a tour of the churches of Purcell’s London, and explores the impact on them of the civil war and the Great Fire of London. 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 Tuesday’s programme, Donald takes a tour of the churches of Purcell’s London, and explores the impact on them of the English Civil War and the Great Fire of London. We will hear music written by Purcell for Westminster Abbey, and for the private prayers of Charles II. Plus, a piece thought to have been composed by Purcell for his own wedding day. An Evening Hymn ‘Now that the sun hath veiled his light', Z 193 Alexander Chance, countertenor Toby Carr, lute Voluntary in D minor, Z 719 John Butt, organ O God, thou art my God, Z 35 Laurence Cummings, organ Oxford Camerata Jeremy Summerly, director Beati Omnes qui timent Dominum, Z 131 Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano Eamonn Dougan, bass The Sixteen Harry Christophers, director My Beloved Spake Choir of Clare College Cambridge Timothy Brown, conductor Te Deum & Jubilate Taverner Consort Taverner Choir Taverner Players Andrew Parrott, 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."