Chacony in G minor, Z. 730 – Henry Purcell

Chacony in G minor, Z. 730 by Henry Purcell

English composer Henry Purcell likely completed this short work for chamber ensemble in 1680. On the 30h of October 1660, the 30-year-old Charles II retook the throne of his father as King of England, marking the beginning of the restoration period of Britain.

In contrast to the England under the Cromwell Republic, the Restoration period was marked by a resurgence in theatrical performance. To accompany the performance, auxiliary music was composed to be presented before and during the play, but was not composed specifically to accompany the play or to represent the events of the play itself. The more popular auxiliary music composed for plays would be adapted for concert performance.

While this work is titled as a ‘Chacony’ or ‘Chaconne’ (a dance which originated in Spain), the titled is essentially arbitrary and the work could also be named a Passacaglia or a Ground. One reason Purcell may have composed a work in a dance style metre was due to the fondness which Charles II had for music he could ‘tap his foot to’.

This work is comprised of a single movement.