You are here:

Classical Music/Purcell - Music for a While

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/9/2009


Question
Marbeth:
I've found a discrepancy in measure 19 of Purcell's "Music for a While".  My version (International Music - high voice) is written in A minor.  In measure 19, the second 16th note of beat 2 is flatted (Ab versus A natural).  I have seen other versions that do not have this flat.  I've heard it performed both ways.  Do you know which version is original to Purcell?

Answer
I do not know which is correct.  Or even which has more incidences.  Who edited/date-place of publication/etc. might give you clues as to "which to believe."

During this period, music engraving/printing was a hit-or-miss affair. Each note had its own piece of staff surrounding it.  This is why old editions look "jiggled."  It could be a case of grabbing the P instead of he Q, so to speak.

And, also, there was often some discrepancies as to whether leading tones were altered.  (See also the English virginalist school.)  Since you mention Ab, I'm wondering if this isn't a case of the leading tone spelled enharmonically.  I'd put my money here, based on what you wrote.
mb

Classical Music

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Marbeth

Expertise

I have a PhD in musicology, with expertise in medieval - Renaissance - Baroque - Classical periods, but I'll try to help you with any period.

>>*****IMPORTANT NOTE*****<<: I do not answer questions marked "private." I don't want to type the same thing to someone else later if I typed it to you already! If you mark your request "private," I will send it back to you requesting you to remove the "private" flag. Thanks for your understanding. Remember, I'm a volunteer.

My answers are not toss-offs. If I don't know the answer, I will do my best to find it.

I have many requests to identify a piece of music. If I can't identify it, I will tell you (1) what composer I think it is; (2) what composer or composers I think it is not; (3) what style period, genre, etc. I think it is or is not. And give you any other help I can to help you find the answer.

Please find a clear clip. In the interest of good computer hygiene, I will not download a clip. Nor will I go to a site where I must "register" in order to hear the clip. Please mount the clip on a public site for which you can give me a direct URL. Thanks for your understanding in this. Remember, I'm a volunteer!

Students, I do NOT do homework questions. The purpose of answering questions on assignments is not only to learn the information, but to LEARN HOW TO FIND IT. Re-read chapter. Look in the index. Look in the references given at the end of the chapter or elsewhere in the book. You also probably can find the answer using Google. Don't be lazy. I wouldn't be doing you any favors by doing your homework for you! I already know the answer. You don't. You need to find it. MORE IMPORTANTLY, you need to learn HOW to find it. That's the whole purpose of education, after all!

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.