Peter Goldstein wrote: >I was wondering what people on this list saw as the philosophical essence >of various composers, and why they felt that certain composers did or did >not appeal to them. I immediately thought of Bach's music while reading this but I would like to give my opinions about Henry Purcell's music. His music is all at once heroic, solemn, joyful and intense. For me, Purcell's music encompasses the entire scope of the human experience. I admit that I am young (23) and probably do not understand everything that is the human experience but I imagine what it must be when listening to the works of this, the greatest of all composers before or after Bach (IMHO). Even given the fact that Purcell wrote music for so many royal gatherings and public ceremonies, I always feel a very real human quality when listening. I don't know how philosophical this really is but I thought I would take a moment to honor one of my favorite musical masters and one of my greatest inspirations. Wes Crone (Bach, Purcell and Brahms...I won't accept anything less on my desert island.)