What is Music for a While about Purcell?

What is Music for a While about Purcell?

“Music for a While” is a da capo aria for voice (usually soprano or tenor), harpsichord and bass viol by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell. It was composed for a revival of the work in 1692.

What was Music for a While written for?

‘Music for a While’ was written for voice (most usually a tenor) and continuo. This particular edition is scored for soprano, harpsichord and bass viol and has been transposed from the original key of C minor to A minor.

Who wrote the lyrics for Music for a While?

John Dryden
Music for a While/Lyricists

What type of piece is Music for a While?

Structure. The piece is in da capo aria form , which is a type of ternary form . A ground bass is used throughout. Ground bass is the term used in Baroque music where a bass part is repeated throughout the piece and is the foundation upon which the melody to Music for a While is written.

When did Purcell write Music for a While?

1692
In 1692, Henry Purcell set parts of it to music, in the process composing “Music for a While,” which must count among his most popular and best remembered pieces.

Is Killer Queen polyphonic?

The texture is melody-dominated homophony . There is a clear melody line and the accompaniment mostly plays block chords on each beat.

Why did Purcell write Music for a While?

Music for a While was written during the Baroque period by Henry Purcell as incidental music for the play Oedipus, written by John Dryden and Nathaniel Lee. The version of the play that included Music for a While premiered in London in 1692.

Why did Purcell write music for a while?

When did Purcell write music for a while?

What is the metre of Killer Queen?

12/8
Metre, tempo and rhythm Killer Queen is in a 12/8 compound time that creates a swung feel. there are bars where the metre changes to 6/8, such as in bars 10 and 11.

Who wrote music for a while by John Purcell?

Dryden was also the author of the libretto for King Arthur and The Indian Queen and he and Purcell made a strong musical/dramatic pairing. In 1692 Purcell set parts of this play to music and ‘Music for a While’ is one of his most renowned pieces.

What makes John Dryden and Purcell’s “music for a while” special?

As with King Arthur, it is evidence of Dryden and Purcell as a perfect pairing. “Music for a While” requires a bit of unpacking. The work is drawn from the world of Greek mythology and the Oedipus legend, but ultimately it is a statement about power of music.

What does “music for a while” mean?

“Music for a While” requires a bit of unpacking. The work is drawn from the world of Greek mythology and the Oedipus legend, but ultimately it is a statement about power of music. Dryden and Purcell have some strong beliefs about art in general and music in particular.

Who is the composer of music for a while?

H Purcell: ‘Music for a While’ (For component 3: Appraising) Background information and performance circumstances. Henry Purcell (1659–95) was an English Baroque composer and is widely regarded as being one of the most influential English composers throughout the history of music.