Short bio Pelham Humfrey
Full biography Pelham Humfrey
Pelham Humfrey (1647-1674) is often hailed as one of the most gifted and talented English Baroque composers of the seventeenth century. Despite his short life, Humfrey managed to leave a lasting impact on the music world with his innovative compositions.
Born in Devon, England, Humfrey was a child prodigy and began his musical training at a young age. He was recognized for his exceptional talent and received formal training from leading musicians of his time. By the age of only ten, he was a chorister in St. Paul’s Cathedral and later became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal.
Humfrey's music was characterized by lyrical melodies, innovative harmonies, and imaginative use of dissonances. His compositions were infused with emotion and conveyed a deep understanding of the music of his time. Humfrey's work was highly sought after and he was commissioned to write music for events such as coronations and state occasions.
Despite his impressive career, Humfrey's life was cut tragically short when he died at the young age of only 27. His legacy, however, has lived on and his music continues to be celebrated to this day. Many of his compositions, such as his anthems and songs, are still performed regularly in concerts and recordings.
In conclusion, Pelham Humfrey was a gifted and innovative composer whose impact on the Baroque era of music has continued to be felt long after his death. His music is a testament to his exceptional talent and remains a source of inspiration for composers to this day.
Compositions featuring Pelham Humfrey
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Hymn to God the Father (Harmonia Sacra, Book 1, 1688) | 2:59 min | Vocal Music | 1688 |
| 2 | Cupid once, when weary grown, for voice & continuo | 2:03 min | Vocal Music | 1679 |
| 3 | Where the bee sucks, there suck I (aria from The Tempest, 1674 (Shadwell) version) | 1:16 min | Vocal Music | 1674 |
| 4 | See, see the Heavens smile (aria from The Tempest, 1674 (Shadwell) version) | 0:48 min | Vocal Music | 1674 |
| 5 | My Lord Great Neptune, for my sake (aria from The Tempest, 1674 (Shadwell) version) | Vocal Music | 1674 | |
| 6 | A lover I'm born and a lover I'll be, song for a court masque | 1:22 min | Vocal Music | 1671 |
| 7 | Ah, fading joy, song (for J. Dryden's play "The Indian Emperor") | 3:23 min | Vocal Music | 1667 |
| 8 | Haste thee, O God, for soloists, chorus, 2 violins, viola, organ & continuo | 7:32 min | Choral | 16?? |
| 9 | O Give Thanks Unto the Lord for 4 voices, strings & organ | 10:24 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 10 | Evening Service (Magnificat & Nunc dimittis), for chorus & orchestra in E minor (Service in E minor) | 6:14 min | Choral | - |
| 11 | The Willow Song (from "Othello") | 3:02 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 12 | The King Shall Rejoice, for soloists, chorus, 2 violins, viola, organ & continuo | 10:04 min | Choral | - |
| 13 | Te Deum, for solists, chorus & organ | 5:27 min | Choral | - |
| 14 | Sleep downy sleep come close mine eyes, for vocal ensemble | 2:52 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 15 | By the Waters of Babylon for 4 voices, strings & organ | 11:43 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 16 | Oh! That I had but a fine man, for voice & continuo | 1:16 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 17 | O the sad day, for vocal ensemble | 3:13 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 18 | O Love, if e'er thou'lt ease a heart, for voice & continuo | 3:38 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 19 | O Lord My God, for 4 voices, strings & organ | 12:12 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 20 | Have Mercy upon Me, O God, for 4 voices, strings & organ | 7:41 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 21 | Communion Service, for chorus & organ in E minor (Service in E minor) | 7:40 min | Choral | - |
| 22 | Morning Service, for chorus & organ in E minor (Service in E minor) | 7:05 min | Choral | - |
| 23 | Lord, I have sinn'd | 3:02 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 24 | Like As the Hart for 4 voices, strings & organ | 9:37 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 25 | Lift up Your Heads for 4 voices, strings & organ | 7:00 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 26 | How well doth this harmonious meeting prove (attrib.) | 1:13 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 27 | How severe is forgetful old age, for voice & continuo | 1:20 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 28 | Hear, O Heav'ns, for 4 voices & organ | 4:51 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 29 | Hear My Prayer, O God for 4 voices, strings & organ | 5:57 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 30 | Hear My Crying, O God for 5 voices, strings & organ | 10:35 min | Vocal Music | - |
Albums featuring Pelham Humfrey
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Pelham Humfrey, The Choir Of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, Joseph McHardy – Sacred Choral Music(CD, Album) | 2021 | Delphian |
| 2 |  |
Pelham Humfrey, Oxford Consort Of Voices, Instruments Of Time & Truth, Edward Higginbottom – Symphony Anthems(CD, Album) | 2018 | Pan Classics |
| 3 |  |
Henry Purcell, Pelham Humfrey - Choir Of St John's College Cambridge – My Beloved Spake(CD, ) | 2012 | Chaconne |
| 4 |  |
Johannette Zomer, Fred Jacobs (2), Johnson, Lawes, Humfrey, Purcell – With Endless Teares(CD, ) | 2009 | Channel Classics |
| 5 |  |
Baker, Raymond Leppard, Monteverdi, Gratiani, Barringcloe, Humfrey, Purcell, Schubert, Fauré, Gounod, Handel – Baker(CD, Remastered, Stereo) | 2007 | BBC Music |
| 6 |  |
Byrd, Humfrey, Gibbons – English Church Music(3×CD, Album) | 2006 | Harmonia Mundi France |
| 7 |  |
Henry Cooke, John Blow, Pelham Humfrey, The Sixteen, Harry Christophers – Music From The Chapel Royal : The King’s Musick(CD, Album) | 2006 | CORO (2) |
| 8 |  |
Pelham Humfrey, Nicholas McGegan, Choir Of Clare College, Cambridge, Donna Deam, Drew Minter, Rogers Covey-Crump, John Potter (2), David Thomas (9), Romanesca – Verse Anthems | 2004 | Harmonia Mundi France |
| 9 |  |
Henry Purcell, Jeremiah Clarke, John Blow, William Croft, Pelham Humfrey, Concerto Vocale – Harmonia Sacra(LP, Album) | 1982 | Harmonia Mundi France |
| 10 |  |
Henry Purcell - Matthew Locke - Pelham Humfrey - John Blow – Music Of The "Chapels Royal" | 1980 | Erato |
| 11 |  |
Fayrfax • Tallis • Bull • Gibbons • Morley • Humfrey • Parsons • Locke • Purcell – Music Of The Court Homes And Cities Of England Vol. 1 – Composers Of The Chapel Royal(LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo) | 1969 | The Record Society |
| 12 |  |
Monteverdi – Grandi, Cavalli, Pelham Humfrey, Purcell - Gerald English, Jennifer Ryan (2), David Lumsden – Baroque Music For Voice And Continuo (Works By Monteverdi, Grandi, Cavalli, Pelham Humfrey, Purcell)(LP, Stereo) | 1966 | SagaPan |
| 13 |  |
John Shirley-Quirk - Purcell, Butterworth, Humfrey, Moeran - Martin Isepp, Nona Liddell, Ivor McMahon, Ambrose Gauntlett – A Recital Of English Songs | 1966 | Saga (5) |
| 14 |  |
Monteverdi, Grandi, Cavalli, Pelham Humfrey, Purcell - Gerald English, Jennifer Ryan (2), David Lumsden – Baroque Music For Voice And Continuo (Works By Monteverdi, Grandi, Cavalli, Pelham Humfrey, Purcell)(LP, Mono) | 1963 | Alpha (6) |
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