The British Musical Biography

[E] Playford, Henry, publisher, second son
of the foregoing, born in London, May 5,
1657. Succeeded to his father's business in
1685, which he carried on for a time in com-
pany with Robert Carr, but afterwards alone
at the Temple Change, Fleet Street. He
died at London [1710]. His principal publi-
cations consist of the Theater of Music ; or a
choice collection of the newest and best songs
:sung at the Court, etc. The words composed
by the most ingenious wits of the age, and
set to music by the greatest masters. ..Lond.,
4 books, 1685-87. Banquet of Musick : a
collection of the newest aud best songs sung
at Court, 6 books, 1688-92. Pleasant Musical
Companion, being a choice collection of
catches for three and four voices ; published
chiefly for the encouragement of the Musical
Societies, which will be speedily set up in all
the chief cities and towns in England, 1701 ;
5th edit., 1709. A Collection of Original
Scotch Tunes (full of the Highland Humours)
for the Violin : being the first of this kind
yet printed : most of them being in the com-
pass of the Fli te, London, 1700. He also
published Purcell's "Ten Sonatas," in four
parts." 4 vols., 1697; Purcell's "Orpheus
Britannicus," 1098-1702; Blow's " Amphion
Anglicus," 1700, etc. He also published a
work which went through a number of editions,
viz., " Harmonia Sacra; or Divine Hymns
and Dialogues, with a Thorow-bass, etc.,"
London, 1687-93; 3rd edit., with "four ex-
cellent hymns of the late j\Ir. Henry Purcell,
never before printed," 1726.

[+] His younger brother, John (b. 1665, d.
1686), carried on the business of music
printer, and reprinted some of his father's
works. For some years he was in partner-
ship with the widow of William Godbid, a well-
known London music-printer, who executed
much work for John Playford, senior.

entry id: 323-L-54