London's royal houses

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Donald Macleod explores the changing role of Purcell within the royal household, and the music he wrote for the various monarchs who ruled during his lifetime. 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 Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores the changing role of Purcell within the royal household, and the music he wrote for the various monarchs who ruled during his lifetime. We’ll hear of a traumatic royal journey on the recently thawed Thames, and visit a haunted Whitehall, Kensington Palace, and hear of a money-making scheme Purcell implemented for the Coronations at Westminster Abbey, and its mixed success! Cold Song ‘What Power art Thou’ (from King Arthur) Andreas Scholl, countertenor Accademia Bizantina Stefano Montanari, conductor They that go down to the sea in ships David Thomas, bass Matthew Bright, alto Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford The English Concert Trevor Pinnock, director Sighs for our late sovereign Charles the Second, Z 380 ‘If pray’rs and tears’ Gerard Lesne, countertenor Il Seminario Musicale My heart is inditing Choir of New College Oxford Academy of Ancient Music Edward Higginbottom, conductor Sefauchi's Farewell, Z 656 John Gibbons, harpsichord Love's Goddess Sure Was Blind, Z 331 (VI May Her Blessed Example Chase) Neil MacKenzie, tenor Symphony of Harmony and Invention Harry Christophers, director Come ye sons of art (excerpt) James Bowman, countertenor Christopher Robson, countertenor David Wilson-Johnson, baritone Michael George, bass Choir of the Age of Enlightenment Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Gustav Leonhardt, director 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."