Suite from Abdelazer

Suite from Abdelazer(1695)

Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

SATB Saxophone Quartet

Suite from Abdelazer by Henry Purcell, arranged for saxophone quartet SATB. Purcell wrote the incidental music for the play “Abdelazer” in 1695, shortly before his death. It is a lively mix of songs and dances of the time. Typical of the day, several of the movements became well known as popular songs. Today, the rondo is certainly one of the best known works by Purcell. It was later made famous by Benjamin Britten, who used it as the theme for his set of variations, ‘The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’. The Rondo as well as another selection, the Hornpipe, was included in the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice.

This transcription for saxophone quartet SATB of Suite from Abdelazer is comprised of five of the ten selections Purcell wrote for the play. The movements are as follows:

I. Overture
II. Minuet
III. Hornpipe
IV. Air
V. Rondo

• The range for each part is shown below.
• Audio and score excerpts are available above.
• Registered users can download a complete sample score and full length audio file of the Suite from Abdelazar on the ‘Samples’ tab.

About the Composer

Henry Purcell (born c. 1659, London, England—died November 21, 1695, London) was an English composer of Baroque music. Purcell’s musical style was uniquely English, although it incorporated Italian and French elements. Generally considered among the greatest English opera composers, Purcell is included with John Dunstaple and William Byrd as England’s most important early music composers. Later, Purcell’s music also had a strong influence on the composers of the English musical renaissance of the early 20th century.

The cause of Purcell’s untimely death at the age of 36 is unclear. There are many theories, some preposterous (he died from chocolate poisoning), some more likely: he died of tuberculosis. Purcell was universally mourned as “a very great master of music”. Following his death, the officials at Westminster honored him by unanimously voting that he be buried with no expense spared in the north aisle of the Abbey.