Edward Purcell (musician)
Encyclopedia
Edward Purcell was born in Westminster
, London
, the only surviving son of the English
Baroque
master, Henry Purcell
. When his mother Frances died in February 1706, she stated in her will, and apparently in accordance with her husband's wishes, that she had given him a good education.Holman, Peter, and Thompson, Robert 'Edward Purcell' in Grove Music Online (ed. L. Macy),, accessed 15 March 2008 She also bequeathed to him music and instruments: "the organ, the double spinnet, the single spinnet"; possibly the instruments her husband had used.Holman, Peter (1994) Henry Purcell (Series: Oxford Studies of Composers). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 98.
Edward became organist of St Clement Eastcheap
, in London
at the end of 1711, a position he retained for the rest of his life. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to succeed his uncle Daniel Purcell
as organist of St Andrew's, Holborn
, on 19 February 1718 and again on 3 April 1719.Dawe, Donovan 'Edward Purcell' in Organs and Organists of the City of London. Padstow: Dawe. 136
He eventually became organist at St. Margaret's, Westminster
, on 8 July 1726, concurrent with his post at Eastcheap.Dawe, Donovan 'Edward Purcell' in Organs and Organists of the City of London. Padstow: Dawe. 136
In 1739, the year before his death, he was one of the founder-members of the London-based musicians' benevolent society then known as the Society of Musicians (later to become the Royal Society of Musicians
).Matthews, Betty (1985)Members of the Royal Society of Musicians: 1738-1984.London: The Royal Society of Musicians. 118. He was buried in St Clement Eastcheap
near the organ gallery door, and was succeeded as organist there by his son Edward Henry Purcell
(d.1765).Dawe, Donovan 'Edward Purcell' in Organs and Organists of the City of London Padstow: Dawe. 136
Edward Purcell published two songs, though the psalm chants often attributed to him seem to be by an earlier namesake, perhaps his uncle Edward.Holman, Peter, and Thompson, Robert 'Edward Purcell' in Grove Music Online (ed. L. Macy),, accessed 15 March 2008
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the only surviving son of the English
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
master, Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell – 21 November 1695), was an English organist and Baroque composer of secular and sacred music. Although Purcell incorporated Italian and French stylistic elements into his compositions, his legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music...
. When his mother Frances died in February 1706, she stated in her will, and apparently in accordance with her husband's wishes, that she had given him a good education.Holman, Peter, and Thompson, Robert 'Edward Purcell' in Grove Music Online (ed. L. Macy),
Edward became organist of St Clement Eastcheap
St Clement Eastcheap
St. Clement Eastcheap is a Church of England parish church in Candlewick Ward of the City of London. It is located on Clement's Lane, off King William Street, and close to London Bridge and the River Thames....
, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the end of 1711, a position he retained for the rest of his life. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to succeed his uncle Daniel Purcell
Daniel Purcell
Daniel Purcell was an English composer, the younger brother of Henry Purcell.As a teenager, Daniel Purcell joined the choir of the Chapel Royal, and in his mid-twenties he became organist of Magdalen College, Oxford. He began to compose while at Oxford, but in 1695 he moved to London to compose...
as organist of St Andrew's, Holborn
St Andrew, Holborn
St Andrew, Holborn is a Church of England church on the northwestern edge of the City of London, on Holborn within the Ward of Farringdon Without.-Roman and medieval:Roman pottery was found on the site during 2001/02 excavations in the crypt...
, on 19 February 1718 and again on 3 April 1719.Dawe, Donovan 'Edward Purcell' in Organs and Organists of the City of London. Padstow: Dawe. 136
He eventually became organist at St. Margaret's, Westminster
St. Margaret's, Westminster
The Anglican church of St. Margaret, Westminster Abbey is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square, and is the parish church of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom in London...
, on 8 July 1726, concurrent with his post at Eastcheap.Dawe, Donovan 'Edward Purcell' in Organs and Organists of the City of London. Padstow: Dawe. 136
In 1739, the year before his death, he was one of the founder-members of the London-based musicians' benevolent society then known as the Society of Musicians (later to become the Royal Society of Musicians
Royal Society of Musicians
The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain is a charity in the United Kingdom that supports musicians. It is the oldest music-related charity in Great Britain, founded in 1738 as the "Fund for Decay'd Musicians" by a declaration of trust signed by 228 musicians, including Edward Purcell ,...
).Matthews, Betty (1985)Members of the Royal Society of Musicians: 1738-1984.London: The Royal Society of Musicians. 118. He was buried in St Clement Eastcheap
St Clement Eastcheap
St. Clement Eastcheap is a Church of England parish church in Candlewick Ward of the City of London. It is located on Clement's Lane, off King William Street, and close to London Bridge and the River Thames....
near the organ gallery door, and was succeeded as organist there by his son Edward Henry Purcell
Edward Henry Purcell
Edward Henry Purcell , organist, printer, and music publisher, was the son of Edward Purcell, and grandson of the English Baroque master, Henry Purcell. He was a chorister in the Chapel Royal in 1737...
(d.1765).Dawe, Donovan 'Edward Purcell' in Organs and Organists of the City of London Padstow: Dawe. 136
Edward Purcell published two songs, though the psalm chants often attributed to him seem to be by an earlier namesake, perhaps his uncle Edward.Holman, Peter, and Thompson, Robert 'Edward Purcell' in Grove Music Online (ed. L. Macy),