Purcell, Daniel

1660-1717

Youngest brother and probably pupil of the great Henry Purcell. Born and died at London. From 1688 to 1695 he was organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, but then went to London, where he became known as a composer. In 1713 he was appointed organist of St. Andrew's, Holborn, a post which he retained until his death. Besides numerous odes for St. Cecilia's Day, the setting of Tate's ode, on the Death of Henry Purcell; the Psalms set full for Organ and Harpsichord; anthems; songs; six cantatas; and sonatas, he wrote music for a large number of plays, including Ibrahim XIII.; Brutus of Alba; Love's Last Shift; Swaney, the Scot, adapted from the Taming of the Shrew; The Grove of Love's Paradise, probably his best work; The Pilgrim; The Unhappy Penitent; The Humour of the Age; The Inconstant; and Orlando Furioso.