This nine movement suite was written by Purcell as incidental music for a play subtitled "The Moor's Revenge" - a tragic tale of lust, revenge and murder. The most famous movement is the Rondo which was used as the theme by Benjamin Britten in his stunning "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra". Some of the movements are very short with others more substantial, and although of no great musical substance they are satisfying to play and provide excellent repertoire. The final movement does have two dubious notes where the rules of harmony are not strictly obeyed - these are Purcell's choice rather than the arranger's.

The parts are not difficult. The Eb Clarinet part is covered by an extra Bb part, the Alto Clarinet is covered by Clarinet 5 and the 2nd Bass and Contra parts are optional. The metronome marks are purely my suggestion, as are the dynamics. The complete suite lasts for about 16 minutes but performers have wildly differing interpretations of the speeds of the various movements - string ensembles seem to race through these movements as if the bar was about to close, for example I consider the Rondo to be a stately majestic movement but I have seen much faster performances being described as "pedestrian" but others, so you pays your money…..!