by gift and purchase, was deposited at Westminster Abbey, under the guardianship of the organists of Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral.
[ W. H. C. ]
PURCELL COMMEMORATION, THE, was held on Jan. 30, 1858, to celebrate the bicentenary of Purcell's birth: the members of the Purcell Club and a large number of professors of music and of eminent amateurs, anxious to do honour to the greatest of English musicians assembled in the evening at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate Street, London, when, after a banquet, a selection of Purcell music was performed, and some interesting addresses were given by Professor Taylor, who presided. The programme consisted entirely of music composed by Purcell, and was as follows:—Grace, 'Gloria Patri'; anthems 'O give thanks,' 'O God, thou hast cast us out,' 'O sing unto the Lord'; song and chorus, 'Celebrate this festival'; a selection from 'King Arthur'; cantata, 'Cupid the slyest rogue alive'; song, 'Let the dreadful engines'; chorus, 'Soul of the world, inspired by thee.'
[ W. H. C. ]
PURCELL SOCIETY, THE. Founded Feb. 21, 1876, 'for the purpose'—in the words of the prospectus—'of doing justice to the memory of Henry Purcell, firstly by the publication of his works, most of which exist only in MS., and secondly, by meeting for the study and performance of his various compositions.' The 'Permanent Committee' consists of the Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley, Bart.; G. A. Macfarren; Sir Herbert S. Oakeley; Sir John Goss; Sir George Elvey; Joseph Barnby; Joseph Bennett; J. F. Bridge; W. Chappell; W. H. Cummings; J. W. Davison; E. J. Hopkins; John Hullah; Henry Leslie; A. H. Littleton, Hon. Secretary; Walter Macfarren; Julian Marshall; E. Prout; E. F. Rimbault; Henry Smart; John Stainer; Rev. J. Troutbeck; James Turle.—The prospectus, issued May 16, 1876, contains a list of Odes and Welcome Songs (28), and of Operas and Dramas (45), by Purcell; and an announcement that the first works published would be the Yorkshire Feast Song, and the masque in 'Timon of Athens,' both in full score. The Yorkshire Feast Song was issued on Oct. 14, 1878, edited, with a preface, by Mr. Cummings, and beautifully engraved and printed. 'Timon of Athens,' edited by the Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley, with a preface by Mr. Julian Marshall, is now due. The subscription to the Society is a 21s. a year for the publications, and 10s. 6d. extra for the music meetings. [App. p.766 "The edition of 'Timon of Athens' referred to in the last sentence but one of article, was issued in 1882. The music-meetings mentioned at the end were abandoned, and in 1887 the scheme, which had fallen into abeyance for a time, was re-organized by Mr. Cummings and Mr. W. Barclay Squire, who undertook the respective duties of editor and honorary secretary."]
[ G. ]
PURFLING (Fr. pourfiler). The ornamental border with which the backs and bellies of stringed instruments are usually finished. It is the only remnant of the elaborate decoration with which stringed instruments were anciently covered. It usually consists of a slip of maple or sycamore glued between two slips of ebony. Some makers used whalebone, as more pliable. A groove is carefully cut all round the edges for its insertion, and the purfling is then let in. Next to cutting the scroll this is the most difficult operation in die-making, as the purfling invariably breaks to pieces in the hands of the unskilled workman. The secret consists in getting it well bent to the required shape before letting it into the groove. In the works of the best makers the purfling is bold, even, solid, perfectly finished, and accurately joined in the angles. The prince of purflers was Stradivarius. Many old instruments have a painted border instead of structural purfling, and modern fiddles of the commonest class have often only a double line in ink or paint round the edges. Only a single strip of purfling is usually employed; but double purfling, which in general injures the tone without improving the looks of an instrument, is often found; and instruments may be seen with a second row of purfling by a different hand. The purfling is not merely ornamental, as the groove protects the body of the violin by checking fractures proceeding from the edge. In ornamental instruments the purfling is sometimes inlaid with mother of pearl.
[ E. J. P. ]
PURITANI DI SCOZIA.I. Opera in 2 acts; words by Count Pepoli, music by Bellini. Written for Grisi, Rubini, Tamburini, and Lablache, and produced at the Théatre Italien, Paris, Jan. 25, 1835. In London, at the King's Theatre, as 'I Puritani ed I Cavalieri,' May 21, 1835.
[ G. ]
PURITAN'S DAUGHTER, THE. 'A grand romantic drama' in 3 acts; words by J. V. Bridgeman, music by Balfe. Produced at the English Opera House, Covent Garden, London, Nov. 30, 1861 (Pyne and Harrison).
[ G. ]
PUTZLI. 'Prince Fitzli Putzli' was Beethoven's nickname for his friend Prince Lobkowitz. See Thayer's Beethoven, iii. 239.
[ G. ]
PYE, Kellow John, well known in London musical circles; the son of a merchant; was born at Exeter, Feb. 9, 1812. His musical tendencies showed themselves early. He entered the Royal Academy of Music, London, in Feb. 1823, immediately after its foundation, and took the first pianoforte lesson ever given within its walls. This was under Cipriani Potter. He also studied harmony, counterpoint, and composition there, under Dr. Crotch, the Principal, and remained a pupil till 1829. He then returned to Exeter, and for some years enjoyed considerable local fame in the south-west of England. In 1834 he gained the Gresham medal for his full anthem 'Turn Thee again, O Lord' (Novello), which with other anthems of his are in use in the Cathedrals. In 1842 he took the degree of Mus. Bac. at Oxford. Soon after this he came to London, and though forsaking the profession of music for business, retained his connexion with the art by joining the direction of the R.A.M. where he succeeded Sir G. Clerk as chairman of the committee of management (1864–67). He is also a member of the Executive and Finance Committees of the Royal and National College of Music (President H.R.H. the Prince of Wales). His published works, besides those mentioned, comprise 'Stray Leaves,' 12 nos. (Lamborn Cock& Co.), 4 Full Anthems (Novello), 3 Short Full Anthems (Do.), Songs, etc.
[ G. ]
