Voluntary on 'Old Hundreth'

Henry Purcell’s epitaph in the Westminster Abbey reads “Here lyes Henry Purcell Esqre, who left this Lyfe and is gone to that Blessed Place where only his Harmony can be exceeded.” Purcell’s setting of this melody composed by Frenchman Louis Bourgeois has been skillfully arranged for concert band by James Curnow. Delightfully characteristic Baroque counterpoint and harmonies form a great style study for your band while being a wonderful performance piece. Sostenuto passages, a controlled playing style, superb counterpoint, terraced dynamics and good activity for each wind section of the band may make this the perfect “middle” piece for your adjudicated band festival thisyear!