Song For The Duke Of Gloucester's Birthday 1695 (Full Score)-Henry Purcell (1659-1695) held numerous appointments at the Royal court and Westminster Abbey and is considered by many to be the greatest ever English-born composer. His prolific work covered all fields: orchestral ecclesiastical operatic theatrical incidental and chamber music were all enriched by his output.One of Purcell’s last pieces Who Can From Joy Refrain (Z 342) was written for the 6th birthday of Prince William Duke of Gloucester in June 1695. The Prince was said to enjoy the brash tone of the Trumpet so the prominent Trumpet part was written especially for him. Unusually Purcell also made use of therecently-introduced Oboe and Bassoon.A real asset to the catalogue A Song For The Duke Of Gloucester's Birthday showcases the very best of Purcell’s genius.
