How Do You Pronounce " Purcell" ? Options

[Dugazon]

.

[Frederic Chopin]

I would go for PUR-cell. I recall reading an article about it where someone found his name in a musical composition (?by him) and the only way one could sing it effectively was if it was sang PUR-cell.

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[singerpianist]

I have always said PurCELL, but I may be wrong.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[soccermom]

I would go for PUR-cell. I recall reading an article about it where someone found his name in a musical composition (?by him) and the only way one could sing it effectively was if it was sang PUR-cell.

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I also voted for PURcell.

On a similar theme, it's tempting to ask how people pronounce "Chopin". I have always hated the first syllable being pronounced "Show" but I have no idea what is right.

[sarah-flute]

On a similar theme, it's tempting to ask how people pronounce "Chopin". I have always hated the first syllable being pronounced "Show" but I have no idea what is right.

I'd say the "cho" syllable as if it were "shop" without the p - roughly - hmm, that's a rubbish realisation of what I mean... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I don't speak Polish but I guess I say it how I'd say it if he were Russian and it were written Шопен or something similar.

[briantrumpet]

It is quite certain that it was pronounced PURcell in the composer's time. The proof? Dryden's Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell. Read it out loud, and the stress must come on the first syllable. Dryden knew Purcell, so I think he's a pretty reliable source.

An Ode, On the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell
( Late Servant to his Majesty, Organist of the Chapel Royal

I

Mark how the Lark and Linnet Sing,
With rival Notes
They strain their warbling Throats,
To welcome in the Spring.
But in the close of Night,
When Philomel begins her Heav'nly lay,
They cease their mutual spite,
Drink in her Music with delight,
And list'ning and silent, and silent and list'ning,
And list'ning and silent obey.

II

So ceas'd the rival Crew when Purcell came,
They Sung no more, or only Sung his Fame.
Struck dumb they all admir'd the God-like Man,
The God-like Man,
Alas, too soon retir'd,
As He too late began.
We beg not ######, our Orpheus to restore,
Had He been there,
Their Sovereign's fear
Had sent Him back before.
The pow'r of Harmony too well they know,
He long e'er this had Tun'd their jarring Sphere,
And left no ###### below.

III

The Heav'nly Choir, who heard his Notes from high,
Let down the Scale of Music from the Sky:
They handed him along,
And all the way He taught, and all the way they Sung.
Ye Brethren of the Lyre, and tuneful Voice,
Lament his Lot: but at your own rejoice.
Now live secure and linger out your days,
The Gods are pleas'd alone with Purcell's Lays,
Nor know to mend their Choice.

John Dryden

[skylark]

Thanks for that Brian, and yes I see what you mean. I wonder if this poem (and maybe there are others) is what researchers have based their pronunciation on? Unless there's contrary evidence, it does seem pretty convincing. I wonder how it came to be pronounced the other way?

Well OK, next time I have to speak this composer's name, I'm going to pronounce it PURcell and see if anybody says anything. But at least I'll now be able to back up my choice, so thanks again for posting this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sarah-flute]

I'm afraid I'm going to keep saying PurCELL.

Strictly accurate it may not be, but language changes and I value being understood (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[petrat]

Thanks for that Brian, and yes I see what you mean. I wonder if this poem (and maybe there are others) is what researchers have based their pronunciation on? Unless there's contrary evidence, it does seem pretty convincing. I wonder how it came to be pronounced the other way?
Well OK, next time I have to speak this composer's name, I'm going to pronounce it PURcell and see if anybody says anything. But at least I'll now be able to back up my choice, so thanks again for posting this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You need only memorize these two lines Skyers:


So ceas'd the rival Crew when Purcell came,
They Sung no more, or only Sung his Fame.

You could sing it to anyone who disagrees with your pronunciation.

[briantrumpet]

By the way, if you're wondering what the hashes (######) in Dryden's poem are for, they're being automatically inserted to replace H*ll, as in Hades (I've put in the asterisk otherwise this will also get changed into '######', and this post will end up being complete gobbledegook!). I've tried re-editing the post so it says what the poem says, but something is changing them back to ######. One of the most bizarre bits of censorship I've come across, when you can't quote a poem by Dryden about Purcell. Hmm.

And if 'Hades' or 'H*ll' get replaced by '######', no-one will have the faintest idea what the ###### I'm talking about.

[smallscale]

I voted Pur-CELL. There's a Purcell School of Music. I wonder what they say when they answer the phone.

[skylark]

I voted Pur-CELL. There's a Purcell School of Music. I wonder what they say when they answer the phone.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) They say Pur'CELL.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[Miss Ross]

I voted Pur-CELL. There's a Purcell School of Music. I wonder what they say when they answer the phone.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) They say Pur'CELL.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Did you call them just to find that out, skylark? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I'm not sure how I say it - since reading this thread my pronunciation of it seems to vary each time. I voted PurCELL when the thread was first started though.

[skylark]

I voted Pur-CELL. There's a Purcell School of Music. I wonder what they say when they answer the phone.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) They say Pur'CELL.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Did you call them just to find that out, skylark? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Think of it as research! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sarah-flute]

I voted Pur-CELL. There's a Purcell School of Music. I wonder what they say when they answer the phone.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) They say Pur'CELL.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Did you call them just to find that out, skylark? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Think of it as research! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)