Ouverture and Rondeau from “Abdelazer Suite” by Henry Purcell

Purcell’s 10 movement “Abdelazer Suite” was written as incidental music to 1676 play The Moor’s Revenge.  The first two movements have been arranged up, from D minor to E minor.  The first movement (in two parts) is in typical French Baroque style with a slow chordal beginning, followed by a lively fugue.  The 2nd movement (3:50), “Rondeau,” is perhaps one of Purcell’s most famous, used by Benjamin Britten as the main theme to his Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.  Available as Standard, Expanded, and Quartet (hardest).

Overture and Rondeau Quartet (preview)
Overture and Rondeau Standard (preview)