Purcell Weekend

Purcell’s genius for English word-setting, and the fusion of European influences in his music were two reasons for a renaissance of his reputation in the 20th century. Composers such as Michael Tippett and Benjamin Britten paid homage to Purcell in their own work, making arrangements of his songs and writing larger works such as Britten’s Young Persons’ Guide to the Orchestra.

To explore why Purcell was so important for both of these composers Tom is joined by Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director of the Barbican Centre and early music historian, and countertenor James Bowman, who sang Britten’s Purcell arrangements with Britten at the piano.

The 100-year old American composer Elliott Carter talks about his admiration for Purcell’s Fantasia on One Note, which led to his setting of the piece for brass quintet. Purcell’s Fantasias have also fascinated British composers Harrison Birtwistle and Peter Maxwell Davies; they both explain to Tom how Purcell’s music – its melancholy and complex harmony – has inspired their own.

Michael Nyman talks about his Purcell-inspired pieces, from his score for the 1980s film The Draughtsman’s Contract to the work he wrote for this year’s BBC Proms. And Pete Townshend of The Who describes the revolutionary influence for him of Purcell’s harmonic dissonances.

Photo (c) The British Library Board
Score (c) 1980 Chester Music Limited