Voluntary in G

Henry Purcell (c. 10 September 1659 – 21 November 1695) 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. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest English composers; no other native-born English composer approached his fame until Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Benjamin Britten in the 20th century.

Purcell's organ works are small in number, and can easily be overlooked.

The most famous, based upon the "Old Hundredth" may not have been composed by Purcell!

The "Voluntary in G" is very fine, and is a dignified utterance, with exquisite expression in the fist section, followed by a lively "canzona" for the second part.

Once again, the wonderful Hereford diapasons win the day, and make this a most successful instrument for music of the period.

The score is attached below, as well as a copy of a painting of Henry Purcell, and a photo of his grave in Westminster Abbey.