Daniel Purcell facts for kids
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Daniel Purcell (born around 1664 – died 1717) was an English composer from the Baroque period. He was the younger brother or cousin of the famous composer Henry Purcell. Daniel wrote many pieces, especially for plays and church services.
Who Was Daniel Purcell?
Just like his older relative, Henry Purcell, Daniel joined the choir at the Chapel Royal when he was about 14 years old. This was a special place where young musicians learned and performed.
When Daniel was in his mid-twenties, he became the organist at Magdalen College, Oxford. This is where he started writing his own music. Later, in 1695, he moved to London. London was a big city with many theaters. Daniel began composing music for more than 40 plays there.
One of his first big jobs was to finish the music for a semi-opera called The Indian Queen. A semi-opera is a play with a lot of music, singing, and dancing. His brother, Henry Purcell, had started writing the music for it. It's not clear if Daniel was asked to finish it because they needed to get the play ready quickly, or because Henry was getting sick. Henry Purcell sadly passed away later that year.
In 1696, Daniel wrote all the music for another semi-opera called Brutus of Alba. In 1701, he entered a music competition. He had to set a masque called The Judgment of Paris to music. A masque was a type of entertainment with music, dancing, and costumes. He came in third place, which was still a great achievement!
Around 1710, some of his instrumental music was published. This included pieces called sonatas and trio sonatas for the recorder and violin. A sonata is a piece of music usually for one or two instruments. A trio sonata is for three instruments, often two melody instruments and a bass instrument.
In 1713, when he was 49 years old, Daniel became the organist at St Andrew's, Holborn church in London. He worked there until he died. He was buried in the same church where he had played music for many years.
Church Music
Some of Daniel Purcell's most famous pieces are the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in E minor. These are special liturgical pieces written for church services. They are often used in the Church of England service of Evensong. Evensong is a beautiful evening service with prayers and hymns.
