Background

Composers of the Year (Radio 3) and The Birth of British Music (BBC Two) is a celebration of the lives of four magnificent composers throughout 2009. The year marks the 350th anniversary of Henry Purcell's birth, the 250th anniversary of G F Handel's death, the 200th anniversary of Joseph Haydn's death and the 200th anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn's birth.

Henry Purcell was born in London in 1659 and probably never left the city. He spent most of his short life working as organist at Westminster Abbey. Yet in his 36 years, Purcell made a huge contribution to Britain's musical DNA. Radio 3 is celebrating the 350th anniversary of Purcell's birth with two special weekends in March and November. There's opera – King Arthur, The Fairy Queen and Dido & Aeneas; there's keyboard music, performed on original instruments; and there are two special choral evensongs from Westminster Abbey where Purcell is buried. Throughout the year, Radio 3 will bring you music, discussion and debate – everything you need for a journey into Purcell's world.

For more information on BBC Radio 3 Composers of the Year visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/composers/

 

Need the Music

You will find links on the right hand side of this page to Sheet Music for Purcell's Choral works works. To purchase them click on the links.