The Life and Vocal Music of Daniel Purcell

Daniel Purcell (c. 1664-1717) was the younger brother of the renowned The Life and Vocal Music of Daniel Restoration composer Henry Purcell and for most of his life lived in the Purcell: shadow of his brother's reputation. Early historians were not generous A Reevaluation in their assessment of Daniel's music; however, several contem by J. Perry White porary historians have recognized that his contribution was much .. greater than had been previously noted. Certainly Daniel lacked the genius of Henry, but his music is not violins; later he became one of the College 1701-1713) who had been without its own merit. Much of it most influential and affluent musi a friend of his brother Henry, hav points toward new directions in the cians of the early Restoration.6 ing been presented to the Living of music of the English Baroque and These achievements were certainly St. Andrew, Holborn, found an thus is an important precursor to the significant in the lives of both Daniel Organ in the Church, of Harris's music of Handel. Some of his music and Henry. building, which, having never been paid for, had from the time of its will stand on its own; it demands no Daniel's name is mentioned in a erection in 1699 been shut up. The apology and is worthy of rediscovery list of 8 April 1679 as one of the Doctor upon his coming to the Liv by today's performers. choristers of the Chapel Royal who ing, by a collection from the Although the life of Henry Purcell attended the King at Windsor in Parishioners, raised money to pay has been thoroughly documented by August and September of 1678.7 for it, but his title to the place of Jack Westrup, Franklin Zimmer Other than this entry nothing is Organist was litigious, the right of man, and others, little research has known of either Daniel's tenure as a election being in question between been done on Daniel. The bio singing boy with the Chapel Royal or the Rector, the Vestry, and the graphies of Henry, however, do pro of his youth and schooling. In 1688 Parish at large: nevertheless, he in vide information on the parentage he accepted a post as organist at vited Daniel Purcell to London, and he accepted it but in February and early lives of both Henry and his Magdalen College, Oxford, a post he 1717, the Vestry, which in that brother. Daniel was the youngest held until 1695. While at Oxford Parish is a select one, thought pro son of the elder Henry and Elizabeth Purcell wrote music for an Ode to St. per to elect Mr. Maurice Greene, in Purcell and apparently was born in Cecilia by Thomas Yalden. This was· preference to Purcell, who submit Westminster. The exact date of the first of four odes that Purcell set ted to stand as a Candidate. In the Daniel's birth is uncertain, but the during his career. In addition to the year following, Greene was made death of the elder Henry Purcell on Ode to St. Cecilia, Purcell composed Organist of St. Paul's, and Daniel 11 August 1664 establishes April solo anthems and a .few secular Purcell being then dead, his 1665 as the latest month in which songs during this period.B Between nephew Edward was a Candidate Daniel could have been born.1 He 1685 and 1695 a number of Purcell's for the place, but it was conferred on Mr. John Isum, who died in was the youngest of four brothers songs and duets appeared in print, June, 1726.10 (Edward, Joseph, and Henry) and but it was not until his return to Lon one sister (Katherine).2 . don in 1695 that his music gained Other sources indicate that Daniel Little information is available per real favor. Zimmerman makes men did not accept the position as taining to Daniel's early life. His tion of two of these songs that were organist at St. Andrew's Holborn un father was a gentleman of the published in Playford's The Banquet til 1713.11 The latter date certainly Chapel Royal and Master of the of Music, 1687, when he stated: seems more tenable since Purcell Children of Westminster Abbey and Two of Daniel's settings "By what was so active in writing music for music copyist there.3 Henry the I've seen" and ''Twas night and all the theatre after his immediate elder died when Daniel was less than the village" are rather good songs. return to London. Details of any one year old and was buried at The musicianship they bespeak assistance that Daniel may have pro Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth may be taken as evidence that his vided to his brother Henry are Purcell and her family apparently receiving the post of organist at Magdalen College, Oxford, that sparse. The authorship of the music moved to Tothill Street South short year was not due alone to his for the masque in Act V of The In ly after his death. Elizabeth lived brother's influence.9 dian Queen is generally attributed to 4 12 there until her death in 1699. In 1695 Purcell resigned his post him, but this, too, is uncertain. Daniel's uncle, Thomas Purcell, at Oxford and moved to London. In 1696, a year after his return to acted as foster father and benefactor Tradition suggests that this rather London, Daniel supplied music for to the family. At the beginning of sudden move was dictated by an Ibrahim XII by Mary Pix. This was the Restoration, Thomas had been urgent request from his brother for followed by a number of plays for named as the first of ten musicians musical assistance, but the par which Daniel supplied the music. In "that do service in the Chapel Royal ticulars of this move are uncertain. 1697 he joined with Jeremiah whose salaries are payable in the Bloxam gave the following account Clarke in writing a good deal of Treasury of His Majesties' of Purcell's move: music, both vocal and instrumental, Chambers."s In August' of 1662, The occasion of his coming to Lon for the contemporary stage.13 A Thomas Purcell had been appointed don was as follows: Dr. number of his compositions are as composer-in-ordinary for the Sacheverell, (Fellow of Magdalen found in Motteux's The Island August 1985 Page 27 Princess, a dramatic opera that also Daniel Purcell enjoyed a wide Pretium to you; if it does, I must contains music by Clarke and reputation as a punster. Bloxam needs say you manage your Purse Richard Leveridge. Lincoln reports quoted several puns but one exam il1. I design to watch you that Purcell evidently walked out in ple will suffice. He quoted from Joe Retournello's to Town, and will the middle of this collaboration Miller: strive to bring you more to my Bow; and knowing we shall agree Dr. Sewel, and two or three more because Leveridge insisted on to an Hair, I desire we may wet our Gentlemen walking toward Hamp writing his own songs even when Whist'ieSi:ogether, and make some stead on a summer's day, were met they came during a portion assigned Recitativo's of the past Crochets of by the famous Daniel Purcell, the to Daniel. 14 Purcell seems to have our long Acquaintance. ~ was punster, who was very importunate enjoyed steady employment during we could both of us have QlaY.' d with them to know upon what ac 1!p'on the Virginals; and particular this period and continued to write count they were going thither. The ly you have been a Man of Note for music for the theatre. Doctor merrily answered him, "To your many Comp'ositions upon From 1697 through 1700, Purcell make hay." "Very well," replied the them. I know you to be in Alt, as to wrote a succession of ceremonial other, "you'll be there at a very your Religion; and should you con pieces. In 1697 he wrote a piece in convenient season, the country tinue to be above Ela in your honour of King William's return wants Rakes."lg 1s Politicks, I shall neversuffer any from Flanders. In 1698 he set an self, I assure ye, to be out of tune Ode to St:'Cecilia written by Thomas One further illustration of Purcell's with my friend on such Fiddle Bishop for the St. Cecilia's celebra wit is this letter that was printed in Faddle Accounts. tion in London that year. An an The (London) Weekly-Journal of 29 ~e sharQest of the Criticks nouncement of a performance June 1717. It is quoted here in its should Censure this Letter as Flat, following the celebration appeared entirety: they are entirely out of the Key', in the London Gazette: and have not their Fantasia's A Punni-Musical Epistle to Mr. Screw'd up" to the present Pitch of, On Wednesday next will be per Daniel P; Or, a Dear Dan. formed in York buildings Mr. Letter in his own Way. Yours, from the merry Yl2.!i.D. Daniel Purcell's musick made for ___That lin Baralyp to the German Flute and the last St. Cecilia's Feast for the ton Blunderbuss yeo Recorder. benefit of Mr. Howell and Mr. Ox[ford] and Signior Allegro.2o Shore, with an addition of new Camb[ridge] Miscel, p. 189. vocal and instrumental musick, In 1700 Purcell composed the beginning at 7 at night. 16 Honest Dan. work for which he is best I have beaten Time so often at remembered, The Judgment ofParis, Purcell also set an Ode in honour of the Overt;:;reQfyoor;:esting~, a masque by William Congreve.

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