Te Deum and Jubilate

song by Purcell

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The "Te Deum" is a liturgical Christian hymn of praise to God, originating from the Latin phrase "Te Deum laudamus," meaning "Thee, God, we praise". This ancient hymn, dating back to before the 12th century, is traditionally sung on occasions of public rejoicing.12

Henry Purcell (c. 1659–1695) was a prominent English composer of the Baroque period. He composed a notable setting of the "Te Deum and Jubilate" for St. Cecilia's Day in 1694. While Purcell's "Te Deum and Jubilate" is recognized as one of his more elaborate church compositions, it is sometimes considered to have a forced brilliance that has faded over time. Purcell's musical output spanned various genres, including church music, stage works, and court entertainment, and he is remembered for his innovative approach that blended tradition with contemporary influences.32

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Henry Purcell
Music for church
…in 1685, and the festal Te Deum and Jubilate, written for St. Cecilia’s Day in 1694. Of these the anthem is the more impressive; the Te Deum and Jubilate suffers on the whole from a forced brilliance that seems to have faded with the passage of time.
Read More
…in 1685, and the festal Te Deum and Jubilate, written for St. Cecilia’s Day in 1694. Of these the anthem is the more impressive; the Te Deum and Jubilate suffers on the whole from a forced brilliance that seems to have faded with the passage of time.
Read More