I’ll sail upon the Dog-Star
Music: Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Words: Thomas d’Urfey (1653-1723)
With this song, Purcell created one of the outstanding examples of English baroque song. It dates from the time he began to compose his operas; his theatrical treatment of this text is undeniable and marks his movement toward an ever-increasing Italian treatment of vocal phrases. This song features words and phrase repetition and a developing manipulation of phrase length. Purcell’s pictorial treatment of the word “pursue” is evident. Free canonic treatment is found throughout the song. Purcell assigns the word “chase” a sixteenth-note motive which is freely imitated in the bass line; the same mirrored treatment occurs with the word “tear,” which begins in the vocal line and races downward through the accompaniment.
**Excerpt from Song, a guide to Art Song and Literature by Carol Kimball**
Henry Purcell was an English composer. Although incorporating Italian and French stylistic elements into his compositions, Purcell’s legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music. Purcell worked in the English court as well as the public arena (especially in the theatre). Many of Purcell’s most famous songs appear in his five operas. His writing style is considered natural and very well suited to the voice. He is also known as one of the great masters of setting the English language in song. Purcell’s songs live on as the cornerstone of British vocal music.
Music: Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Words: Thomas d’Urfey (1653-1723)
With this song, Purcell created one of the outstanding examples of English baroque song. It dates from the time he began to compose his operas; his theatrical treatment of this text is undeniable and marks his movement toward an ever-increasing Italian treatment of vocal phrases. This song features words and phrase repetition and a developing manipulation of phrase length. Purcell’s pictorial treatment of the word “pursue” is evident. Free canonic treatment is found throughout the song. Purcell assigns the word “chase” a sixteenth-note motive which is freely imitated in the bass line; the same mirrored treatment occurs with the word “tear,” which begins in the vocal line and races downward through the accompaniment.
**Excerpt from Song, a guide to Art Song and Literature by Carol Kimball**
Henry Purcell was an English composer. Although incorporating Italian and French stylistic elements into his compositions, Purcell’s legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music. Purcell worked in the English court as well as the public arena (especially in the theatre). Many of Purcell’s most famous songs appear in his five operas. His writing style is considered natural and very well suited to the voice. He is also known as one of the great masters of setting the English language in song. Purcell’s songs live on as the cornerstone of British vocal music.
Key of F Major
Range : Octave plus 5th : G up to D
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Sample MP3, Piano & Melody,
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Sample MP3, Piano Only,
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F Major Sheet Music Sample |
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Key of G Major
Range : Octave plus 5th : A up to E
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Sample MP3, Piano & Melody
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Sample MP3, Piano Only,
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G Major Sheet Music Sample |
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Key of A Major
Range : Octave plus 5th : B up to F#
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Sample MP3, Piano & Melody
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Sample MP3, Piano Only,
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A Major Sheet Music Sample |
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Key of B Flat Major
Range : Octave plus 5th : C up to G
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Sample MP3, Piano & Melody
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Sample MP3, Piano Only
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Bb Major Sheet Music Sample |
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