HENRY PURCELL'S BICENTENARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10363, 18 May 1895, Page 6

HENRY PURCELL'S BICENTENARY.

TO. THE EDITOR. '

_ Sib,—Allow me to call 'your readers' attention to the coming bicentenary'of the death of the greatest of English musicians, and the founder of the English echool of :music, Hanry Purcell, who died November' 21;,' 1695. • ■ Henry Parcell has the highest claims'on the respect of the English people *g the improver of our cathedral music y tbe originator of English melody,; as the .term is now understood ; the establisher'- of a form of: English bpfera which was universally adopted; the iritrpdacer of a new and ymore, effective employment of the oirchesfcrain aoeompaniment; the'msn who excelled all others in-his- accurate, vigorous, and energetic.setting Of' Englisn'word?V: and the most, original and; extraordinary musical genius our country has produced. •' '"'; :

•The commemoration is being warmly taken up by musicians throughout the country, and all who appreciate the beauties of Purcell's exquisite music are invited _to join in the celebrations, which, in some cases have already commenced.; .■ • ■;• ~

; - The matter is in. the hands of the great composer's liueal descendant, Dr Purcell Taylor, who worthily support's his-illustrious ancestry by the eminent position and great wealth he has attained'as a diplomatist and as >&n authority on patents ; and who has'earued the gratitude of the public by his successful efforts in the cause Of free technical eduoation, and by' his settlement of the dispute between' Chili and the United States, which threatened to culminate: in: a terrible war.: " /•-:

All who would like to take part in the movemeat, or ; who hav^ any of Paircell's music, ar«: warmly invited to cdmrauri!c--.te with Dc Pareell' Taylor (whose address is 2 Powis1 pl«e,;!(sueen square, London), who "is preparing a" boniplete: ;history ;pf the" composers life'''toft*times.—l 'am', v&e.,- r:.;': : '-'--''./.\. -V:' ;. ;<L ■'-'■:-'-' ■■■■■'■'■ Aw.- .■ y. April 2.>-( ■'•" v ■ r.\ J:'Tske&;