Henry Purcell

The Profile

Henry Purcell (1659–1695) was an English Baroque composer. He served as organist at Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal and wrote opera, semi-operas, anthems and ceremonial odes. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.

English Baroque composer (1659–1695); organist at Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal; author of Dido and Aeneas, The Fairy Queen, King Arthur and the Funeral Music for Queen Mary (performed for Mary II’s obsequies in 1695); buried in Westminster Abbey; the march from his funeral music was famously adapted by Wendy Carlos for A Clockwork Orange.

A single review meditates on Westminster Abbey and Purcell’s Funeral Music for Queen Mary, praising its stark funeral march (later adapted by Wendy Carlos for A Clockwork Orange). The piece is described as hard and irrevocable, yet melting into warm choral textures. Purcell is portrayed as enigmatic, with a direct, earthy Baroque voice rather than contrapuntal display.