Welcome to all the pleasures
Welcome to all the pleasures, Z. 339, is a 1683 composition by Henry Purcell, the first of a series he wrote in honour of the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia. It was commissioned by an organisation called "The Musical Society" for performance in London on 22 November 1683. Words Purcell set a text by Christopher Fishburn, a relatively obscure figure who was related to Sir Christopher Wren. It begins Welcome to all the pleasures that delight Of ev'ry sense the grateful appetite. Hail, great assembly of Apollo's race. Hail to this happy place, this musical assembly That seems to be the arc of universal harmony. Music The music is for vocal soloists, chorus and an ensemble of baroque instruments consisting of four-part strings (1st and 2nd violin, viola, cello) and basso continuo. As well as accompanying the singers, the instruments feature in an overture (called "symphony") and ritornelli. The piece takes about 18 minutes to perform. Movements Notable performances The venue of the first performance in 1683 was York Buildings which is regarded as London's first regular concert hall. It was built on land previously occupied by York House. The piece received its Proms premiere in 1963 when it