Trumpet Tune - "The Cebell"

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.

A "Purcell Album of Trumpet Tunes" was arranged for organ by Henry Coates, and published by Edwin Ashdown Ltd. in 1942. The "Cebell" is a famous piece that comes from an orchestral suite. It's quite a grand one!

These excellent arrangements were all done by Henry Coates, who was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Bradford Cathedral from 1893-until 1939.

In this performance you hear the two (!) Solo Tubas in dialogue with each other. The new one, modeled upon a design by Hill, is a BIG one! The chorus work sparkles, with wonderful, unforced brilliance. For the final crescendo, notice the 32' reed on the last note...

Oh, sorry! That's "just" one of the 16' reeds at the end! :-)

The score is attached below, as well as a painting of Henry Purcell, and a photo of his grave in Westminster Abbey. There are also several photographs of Bradford Cathedral, where Henry Coates served as organist.