Purcell: Rondeau from the Abdelazer

Henry Purcell wrote the Rondeau from Abdelazer while serving as a composer at the Royal Court.
The piece serves as incidental music for the play Abdelazer by Aphra Behn, making it a great example of music written for the theatre.
The time period of Abdelazer indicates it was written during the Baroque Period (1600-1750).

The Rondeau uses a repeating melody to structure the piece, indicative of a musical form identified as Rondo form.
In this piece, the Rondo form follows an ABACA structure.
The A section is a repeating theme that appears three times within the music. It is in duple time, and written in a minor key.
The B section, known as an episode, offers a contrast to the A theme.
Here, the C section is yet another contrasting section, offering variety and keeping listeners engaged.

This piece makes use of the Ground Bass technique, where a short melodic phrase, usually in the bass, is constantly repeated throughout the piece.
Additionally, Contrapuntal textures are prevalent, as various musical lines interact and weave together.
Purcell uses Ornaments extensively to enhance the melodic lines. These include trills and grace notes.
The usage of Inversion, creating a mirrored or flipped version of a motif, is also present in certain sections.
It’s also important to note the use of the Major and Minor Modulation, which provides contrast and creates different moods between sections.

Listen for the distinctive, recurring A Theme as it will help you recognise the Rondo form of the piece.
Pay attention to differences in instrumentation and melody in the various sections (B and C) to distinguish them from A.
Notice the repeated Ground Bass phrase throughout the piece.
Try to identify the use of Contrapuntal Texture within the piece.

Overall, keeping these points in mind, will greatly aid in understanding and analysing Purcell’s Rondeau from Abdelazer.