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Purcell Variants (Peter Meechan)

Purcell Variants is based on Purcell's Queen Mary's Funeral Music, which consists of 4 canzonas (for brass), 2 elegies and an anthem.

The first movement begins by sounding some of Purcell's original music, underpinned by a timpani roll with the beginnings and endings of the phrases articulated in the higher voices. This leads into a two cadenzas before the movement heads in different directions, leading us to its mysterious end, where the original music is sounded this time in the 'stabs' of the higher voices.

Originally composed for the funeral of Queen Mary in 1695, Purcell's original funeral music was used later that same year for Purcell's own funeral – he died aged only 34. The second movement is an elegy, inspired by this story.

After an introduction, the main melody of the movement is introduced, complimented by various other soloists. This is then taken over by a tutti passage that leads us into the middle section of the movement.

The middle section is a quasi funeral march, inspired by the image of Purcell's coffin being taken to its final resting point. The main melody returns, this time more elaborated, and the movement ends with a snare drum fading away – perhaps a metaphor.

The Finale is a fast and furious movement combining thematic material from the two previous movements with new rhythmical ideas. This takes us through to the final passage - the triumphant return of Purcell's original theme.

Purcell Variants was composed in 2004, for the Black Dyke Band and is dedicated to their musical director, Dr Nicholas J Childs. The wind band version was produced for Tormod Flaten and the Sandvikens Ungdomskorps Band.

First performance:
Black Dyke Band
Dr Nicholas Childs - Conductor
4 September 2004
Bridgewater Hall
Manchester

Purcell Variants is available for brass and wind band, and is published by Prima Vista Musikk