This is the first book thoroughly to explore the musical style of Henry Purcell.

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Stylistic development and influences: 1. Early years at court and home: developments to c. 1685; 2. Years of experiment: c. 1680 to c. 1685; 3. Consolidation: c. 1685 to c. 1688; 4. Public recognition: c. 1689 to c. 1691; 5. 'Meaning motion fans fresh our wits with wonder': c. 1692 to 1695; Part II. Analytical and Generic Studies: 6. 'Clog'd with somewhat of an English vein': early instrumental music, the fantasias and sonatas; 7. 'Bassani's genius to Corelli joyn'd': instrumental music in the odes, the anthems and on the stage; 8. Early mastery: sacred music to c. 1685; 9. Brilliance and decline: sacred music after c. 1685; 10. 'The energy of English words': independent songs fro one or more voices; 11. A new genre: odes to 1689; 12. Consolidation and maturity: odes from 1689 to 1695; 13. Background and beginnings: dramatic music to 1689; 14. 'An English-man, equal with the best abroad': dramatic music from 1690 to 1691; 15. 'The pride and darling of the stage': dramatic music from 1692 to 1695; Notes; Bibliography; Indexes.