Anthony Purnell is a
Kent-based composer with wide-ranging interests. He teaches recorder, piano,
classical guitar and electric
keyboard and also performs as a wind player, lutenist and harpsichordist in the
Early Music Group "Cancionero". He even makes some of
their rarer stringed instruments!
With 25 years experience of recorder teaching at all
levels he has evolved a successful format, the Festival Series, to allow mass performances with upwards of 200
young players of varied abilities. The pieces can also be played on a smaller
scale, even one to a part.
His output also includes works for smaller groups of recorders, concertos for
young players with junior orchestras, church anthems and teaching materials for
electronic keyboards.
The Associated Board's new Prep Test for Descant Recorder includes two of Anthony's pieces.