The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 985, November 12, 1898Various
General
The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 985, November 12, 1898
Various
Children's literature -- Periodicals
He wrote odes to St. Cecilia, which were used at the festival of St.
Cecilia's Day for several years, the finest of them being the last, the
magnificent Te Deum and Jubilate, written in 1694. It was the first
work of this kind that had ever been heard in England, and from the
date of its composition till 1713 it was performed regularly every
year. Then Händel's great Te Deum and Jubilate for the Peace of Utrecht
was composed, and was performed alternately with the work of the
English musician until 1734, when Händel's Dettingen Te Deum displaced
both its predecessors.
In December, 1694, Queen Mary died, and Purcell composed the music
for her funeral. There were two new anthems, "Blessed is the man
that feareth the Lord," and "Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our
hearts." We have the testimony of one who was present in the choir on
this solemn occasion as to the effect produced by the noble music.
"I appeal to all that were present," says this authority, "as well
such as understood music, as those that did not, whether they ever
heard anything so rapturously fine and solemn, and so heavenly in
the operation, which drew tears from all, and yet a plain, natural
composition, which shows the power of music, when 'tis rightly fitted
and adapted to devotional purposes."
The second anthem, "Thou knowest, Lord," has been sung at every choral
funeral in Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's from that day to this,
for Dr. Croft, who set the Burial Service to music, abstained from
setting these words, declaring that the music left by Purcell was
unapproachable.
Only a few months after Queen Mary's death the composer also passed
away to "that place where alone his harmony could be excelled," and the
solemn strains of the anthem but lately written for the dead Queen were
sung by his friends and colleagues as they laid the loved master to his
rest beneath the shadow of that organ on which he had so often played.
Dr. Blow, who had stood aside to let the younger musician take his
place, now resumed his appointment as organist of Westminster Abbey;
and, facing the memorial tablet raised there to Henry Purcell, we may
see one placed to the memory of Blow, recording, amongst other tributes
to his mind and heart, that he was "the master of the famous Mr. Henry
Purcell."
A collection of "Choice Pieces for the Harpsichord," by Purcell, was
published by his widow after his death, as well as two books of songs
called _Orpheus Britannicus_. Prefixed to the second of these volumes
is an ode from which, in conclusion, I give a short extract.
"Make room, ye happy Natives of the Sky,
Room for a Soul--all Love and Harmony;
A Soul that rose to such Perfection here,
It scarce will be advanced by being there.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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