Yes, D&A would definitely be the chosen, single work by Purcell - in an oeuvre, where really impressive or catchy pieces seem rather few and far between ....
Have you really listened to all of his output?
That's sort of an unqualified blanket statement - I haven't even heard half of this.(this is not complete, obviously ... )
Stage Works
=Operas and Semi-Operas
= Dido and Aeneas, Z.626 (opera)
= King Arthur or the British Worthy, Z.628 (semi-opera)
= Pausanius, the Betrayer of His Country, Z.585 (tragedy)
= Prophetess, or The History of Dioclesian, Z.627 (semi-opera)
= The Fairy Queen, Z.629 (semi-opera)
= The Indian Queen, Z.630 (semi-opera)
= The Tempest, Z.631 (semi-opera)
= Timon of Athens, Z.632 (semi-opera)
Incidental Music
= A Fool's Preferment, or, The Three Dukes of Dunstable, Z.571 7
= Abdelazer, or The Moor's Revenge, Z.570 61
= Amphitryon, or the 2 Sosias, Z.572 29
= Aureng-Zebe, or the Great Mogul, Z.573 4
= Bonduca, or The British Heroine, Z.574 19
= Circe, Z.575 11
= Cleomenes, the Spartan Hero, Z.576 1
= Distressed Innocence, or, the Princess of Persia, Z.577 13
= Don Quixote, Z.578 15
= Epsom Wells, Z.579 1
= Henry II, King of England, Z.580 1
= Love Triumphant, or Nature Will Prevail, Z.582 1
= Oedipus, Z.583 27
= Oroonoko, Z.584 1
= Pausanius, Z.585 3
= Regulus, or the Faction of Carthage, Z.586 1
= Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, Z.587 3
= Sir Anthony Love, or the Rambling Lady, Z.588 5
= Sir Barnaby Whigg, or No Wit Like a Woman's, Z.589 2
= Sophonisba, or Hannibal's Overthrow, Z.590 2
= Spanish Friar, or the Double Discovery, Z.610 1
= The Canterbury Guests, or A Bargain Broken, Z.591 1
= The Double Dealer, Z.592 5
= The English Lawyer, Z.594 1
= The Fatal Marriage, or the Innocent Adultery, Z.595 2
= The Female Virtuosos, Z.596 1
= The Gordian Knot Unty'd, Z.597 40
= The History of King Richard II, or, The Sicilian Usurper, Z.581 3
= The Indian Emperor, or The Conquest of Mexico, Z.598 1
= The Knight of Malta, Z.599 1
= The Libertine, or the Libertine Destroyed, Z.600 7
= The Maid's Last Prayer, or Any Rather than Fail, Z.601 4
= The Marriage-Hater Match'd, Z.602 2
= The Married Beau, or the Curious Impertinent, Z.603 37
= The Massacre of Paris, Z.604 1
= The Mock Marriage, Z.605 6
= The Old Bachelor, Z.607 8
= The Richmond Heiress, or, A Woman Once in the Right, Z.608 2
= The Rival Sisters, or the Violence of Love, Z.609 6
= The Virtuous Wife, or Good Luck at Last, Z.611 27
= The Wives' Excuse, or Cuckolds Make Themselves, Z.612 3
= Theodosius, or the Force of Love, Z.606 9
= Tyrannic Love, or the Royal Martyr, Z.613 3
= Dioclesian, Z.627 1
= The Fairy Queen Suite, Z.629 17
= The Prophetess Suite, Z 627 5
= King Arthur Suite, Z.628
Keyboard Works
=Harpsichord Works
= A New Ground in E- (originally from 'Welcome to All the Pleasures'), Z.682 17
= Trumpet Tune (from 'The Indian Queen' as Z. 630/4a) for harpsichord in C ZT 698 1
= A New Irish Tune ('Lilliburlero') in G, Z.646 8
= A New Minuet in D-, Z.689 1
= A New Scotch Tune in G, Z.655 3
= Air in G, Z.641 3
= Chaconne in G- (Curtain tune from 'Timon of Athens'), Z.680 7
= Ground in C- (from 'Ye tuneful muses'), Z.681 4
= Ground in C-, Z.221 (doubtful) 8
= Ground in D-, (from 'Celebrate This Festival'), Z.222 (doubtful) 7
= Ground in Gamut in G, Z.645 10
= Hornpipe in E-, Z.685 2
= Hornpipe in Bb (from 'The Virtuous Wife'), Z.683 1
= Hornpipe in D- ('Round O' from 'Abdelazar'), Z.684 5
= Jig in G- (from 'Abdelazar'), Z.686 2
= Keyboard Suite in C (arr. M. Nuber; cadenza and ornamentation by B. Kratzer) 1
= March in C, Z.647 1
= March in C, Z.648 3
= Minuet (from 'Ye Tuneful Muses') in D-, Z.688 1
= Minuet in A-, Z.649 1
= Minuet in A-, Z.650 1
= Miscellaneous pieces from Oxford manuscripts 2
= Musick's Handmaid 12
= Queen's Dolour in A-, Z.670 (doubtful) 1
= Rigadoon in C, Z.653 3
= Round-O (Rondo), Z.684 3
= Saraband in A-, Z.654 2
= Sefauchi's Farewell in D-, Z.656 4
= 8 Suites, Z.660-669 214
= Toccata in A, Z.229 (doubtful) 1
= Trumpet Minuet in D (from 'The Virtuous Wife') 1
= Trumpet Tune in C ('Cibell'), Z.678 6
= Voluntary for Double Organ, Z.719 4
= Trumpet Tune and Air (excerpt), for keyboard 1
= Trumpet Tune in C, (from 'Prophetess'), for harpsichord, ZT 697 2
= A Choice Collection of Lessons for the Harpsichord, Suite No.2 in G-, Z. 661 13
= Hornpipe for harpsichord in E- (from 'The Old Bachelor' Z.607/4), ZT685 1
= A Choice Collection of Lessons, Suite No.4 in A-, Z.663 8
= A Choice Collection of Lessons, Suite No.1 in G, Z.660 4
= A Choice Collection of Lessons, Suite No.3 in G, Z.662 3
= A Choice Collection of Lessons, Suite No.5 in C, Z.666 4
= A Choice Collection of Lessons, Suite No.6 in D, Z.667 3
= A Choice Collection of Lessons, Suite No.7 in D-, Z.668 3
= A Choice Collection of Lessons, Suite No.8 in F, Z.669 4
Organ Works
= Air (unspecified)
= Trumpet Tune in D
= Trumpet Voluntary in D (possibly by Blow)
= Verse in F, Z.716
= Verse in the Phrygian mode, Z.126
= Voluntary in C, Z.717
= Voluntary in D-, Z.718
= Voluntary in G, Z.720
= Voluntary on the 100th Psalm in A, Z.721
= Slow Air, for organ, Z.603
Chamber Works
= Fantasias for Viol Consort
= 15 Fantasias for viols, D.732-747
= 9 Fantasia a 4
Overtures
= Overture and Suite in G, Z.770
= Overture in D-, Z.771
= Overture in G-, Z.772
= The Staircase Overture, Z.614
Pavans
= Pavan in A, Z.748
= Pavan in A-, Z.749
= Pavan in Bb for 2 Violins, Z.750
= Pavan in G-, Z.751
= Pavan in G- for 3 Violins, Z.752
= Pavane and Chaconne
= Pavan à 4 'Here begineth ye 3 part Fantazias'
Trio Sonatas and Other Chamber Sonatas
= Sonata a4 No.1 in B-, Z.802 3
= Sonata a4 No.2 in Eb, Z.803 3
= Sonata a4 No.3 in A-, Z.804 5
= Sonata a4 No.4 in D-, Z.805 4
= Sonata a4 No.5 in G-, Z.806 5
= Sonata a4 No.6 in G-, Z.807 8
= Sonata a4 No.7 in C, Z.808 3
= Sonata a4 No.8 in G-, Z.809 4
= Sonata a4 No.10 in D, Z.811 8
= Sonata a5 in D, Z.850 3
= Trio Sonata in G-, Z.780 11
= Trio Sonata No.1 in G-, Z.790 8
= Trio Sonata No.11 in F-, Z.800 3
= Trio Sonata No.2 in Bb, Z.791 7
= Trio Sonata No.3 in D-, Z.792 6
= Trio Sonata No.4 in F, Z.793 3
= Trio Sonata No.5 in A-, Z.794 3
= Trio Sonata No.6 in C, Z.795 9
= Trio Sonata No.7 in E-, Z.796 5
= Trio Sonata No.8 in G, Z.797 7
= Trio Sonata No.9 in C-, Z.798 5
= Trio Sonata No.9 in F ('The Golden Sonata'), Z.810 12
= Trio Sonata No.10 in A, Z.799 3
= Trio Sonta No.12 in D, Z.801
= Sonata in C, for trumpet, strings and organ 3
= Trumpet Sonata in D, Z.850 48
= Trumpet tune and aire (unspecified) 1
= Air en Bourée (unspecified) 1
= Air for Trumpet and Organ (unspecified) 1
= Chaconne in F for Recorder and Organ 1
= Chaconne in F for Recorder 1
= Chaconne in G- for 4 Strings, Z.730 25
= Fantasia in D upon a Ground for 3 Violins and Continuo, Z.731 7
= Jig (unspecified), for guitar 1
= March and Canzona for the Funeral of Queen Mary, for 4 trumpets, Z.860 25
= Minuet (unspecified) 1
= Prelude in F for Solo Recorder 1
= Prelude in G- for Solo Violin, Z.773 2
= Theater Suite, for chamber ensemble 6
= Prelude, for violin (or recorder) solo in G-, ZN 773 2
= Suite for Trumpet and Organ 8
= Air, for the flute 1
= In Nomine of seven parts, for chamber ensemble 3
= In Nomine of six parts, for chamber ensemble, Z.746 3
= Three Parts Upon a Ground, for chamber ensemble 3
= A New Ground, for harpsichord, Z.T682 1
= Here, the deities approve, for chamber ensemble 2
= Chacony in G-, for chamber ensemble, Z.730 1
= Symphony for the Flutes, for chamber ensemble 2
= Strike the viol, for chamber ensemble 1
= Suite in G, Z.770 1
= Who can from joy refrain ?, Z.342 5
= Crown the altar, deck the shrine, Z.321/6 1
= Music for a while, for chamber ensemble 1
= Prelude in D (arr. for Chamber Ensemble)
Vocal Works
= Anthems
= Behold now, praise the Lord, anthem for alto, tenor, bass, chorus, 2 violins, viola and continuo, Z.3 1
= Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven, anthem, for 2 sopranos, alto, 2 tenors, bass, chorus and continuo, Z.8 1
= Blow up the trumpet in Sion, for soloists, chorus and continuo, Z.10 (anthem) 4
= Hear me, O Lord, the great support, sacred song for alto, tenor, chorus and continuo, Z.133 2
= Hear my prayer, O God, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus and organ, Z.14 (anthem) 2
= Hear my prayer, O Lord, for chorus, violins and continuo, Z.15 (unfinished anthem) 13
= I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus, string and organ, Z.19 (anthem) 5
= I will love Thee, O Lord, anthem for bass, chorus and organ, Z.67 1
= I will sing unto the Lord, for soloists, chorus and organ, Z.22 (anthem) 2
= In the midst of life, for soloists, chorus and organ, Z.17a (anthem) 2
= Let mine eyes run down with tears, for soloists, chorus and organ, Z.24 (anthem) 2
= Lord, how long wilt Thou be angry, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus and organ, Z.25 (anthem) 4
= Man that is born of a woman, for soprano, alto, tenor, chorus and organ, Z.27 (anthem) 2
= My beloved spake, for alto, tenor, 2 basses, chorus, strings and continuo, Z.28 (anthem) 3
= My heart is inditing, anthem for 2 sopranos, altos, tenors, basses, double chorus, strings and continuo, Z.30 4
= O God the king of glory, for chorus and organ, Z.34 (anthem) 1
= O God, thou art my god, for 2 sopranos, alto, tenor, bass, double chorus and organ, Z.35 (anthem) 3
= O God, Thou hast cast us out, for 2 sopranos, 2 altos, tenor, bass, chorus and organ, Z.36 (anthem) 2
= O Lord, our Governor, anthem for 3 sopranos, 2 basses, chorus and organ, Z.39 1
= O sing unto the Lord, anthem for soprano, alto, tenor, 2 basses, chorus, 2 violins, viola and organ, Z.44 1
= Out of the deep have I called, anthem for soprano, alto, bass, chorus and continuo Z.45 1
= Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, for 2 sopranos, alto, tenor, bass, chorus, 2 violins, viola and organ, Z.46 (anthem) 1
= Rejoice in the Lord alway, Z.49 ('Bell Anthem') 5
= Remember not, Lord, our offences, for chorus and organ, Z.50 (anthem) 10
= Thou know'st, Lord (1st version of 1st setting), for chorus and organ, Z.58a (anthem) 2
= Thou know'st, Lord (2nd version of 1st setting), for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, chorus and organ, Z.58b (anthem) 3
= Who hath believed our report?, anthem for alto, 2 tenors, bass, chorus and organ, Z.64 1
= O Lord, rebuke me not, anthem for 2 sopranos, chorus and organ, Z.40 1
= Blessed is he that considereth the poor, Z.7 (anthem) 1
= Lord, not to us, Z.137 (anthem) 1
Odes
= Celebrate this Festival (Birthday Ode for Queen Mary), Z.321 23
= Come Ye Sons of Art Away (Birthday Ode for Queen Mary), Z.323 35
= Fly Bold Rebellion (Welcome Ode for Charles II), for soloists, double chorus, strings and continuo, Z.324 2
= Hail, Bright Cecilia (Ode for St. Cecilia's Day), Z.328 40
= Love's Goddess Sure Was Blind (Birthday Ode for Queen Mary), Z.331 10
= Now Does the Glorious Day Appear (Ode for Queen Mary's Birthday), for soloists, chorus, violins and continuo, Z.332 16
= Of Old, When Heroes Thought it Base ('Yorkshire Feast Song'), Z.333 (ode) 28
= Raise, Raise the Voice (Ode for St. Cecilia's day), for soprano, bass, chorus, 2 violins and continuo, Z.334 1
= Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum (Welcome Ode for James II), Z.335 5
= Swifter, Isis, Swifter Flow (Welcome Song for Charles II), for soloists, chorus and instruments, Z.336 1
= The Noise of Foreign Wars (unfinished ode) 1
= Welcome to all the Pleasures (Ode for St. Cecilia's Day), Z.339 34
= Sound the trumpet, beat the drum (Welcome Ode for James II), for 2 altos, tenors, basses, chorus, strings and continuo, Z.335 1
Musical Services
= Burial Service (for the funeral of Queen Mary), Z.27 16
= Morning Service in D, for soloists, chorus and orchestra, Z.230 3
Other Sacred Vocal Works
= An Evening Hymn, Z.193 2
= Beati omnes, for soprano, bass, chorus and continuo, Z.131 (hymn) 1
= Blessed is the Man that Feareth the Lord, for 3 voices and continuo, Z.9 1
= Christ is Made the Sure Foundation (hymn set to a theme by Purcell) 6
= Hosanna to the Highest, for bass, chorus, and continuo, Z.187 1
= How Long, Great God?, for soprano and continuo, Z.189 3
= In Guilty Night, Z.134 3
= Jehova, quam multi sunt, sacred song for tenor, bass, chorus and continuo, Z.135 7
= Let the Night Perish (Job's Curse), sacred song for soprano, chorus and continuo, Z.191 2
= Lord, What is Man? for soprano and continuo, Z.192 9
= Me O Ye Gods, for 2 voices and continuo 1
= Miserere Mei (canon a4), Z.109 2
= My Beloved Spake, Z.28 1
= Now That the Sun Hath Veiled His Light ('An Evening Hymn on a Ground'), Z.193 20
= O Sing Unto the Lord, Z.44 1
= Since God So Tender a Regard, for tenor, bass, male chorus and continuo, Z.143 1
= Sleep, Adam, for soprano and continuo, Z.195 2
= Te Deum and Jubilate Deo, for soloists, chorus and instruments in D, Z.232 3
= Tell Me, Some Pitying Angel ('The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation'), Z.196 11
= The Earth Trembled, and Heav'n Closed, sacred song for bass (or soprano) and continuo, Z.197 2
= Thou Wakeful Shepherd ('Morning Hymn'), for soprano and continuo, Z.198 3
= We sing to Him whose wisdom form'd the ear, sacred song for soprano, chorus of soprano and basso continuo, Z.199 1
= With Sick and Famish'd Eyes, sacred song for soprano and continuo, Z.200 2
= I Will Give Thanks Unto Thee, O Lord, Z.20 1
= Voluntary on the Old Hundredth, Z.721 (attrib. to J. Blow) 1
= O Lord God of hosts, for chorus Z.37 1
= Miserere mei, Z.109 1
= Begin the Song (The Resurrection) 1
= Give sentence with me, O God, for chorus, Z.12 1
Secular Songs
= 'Tis women makes us love, catch for 4 voices, Z.281 1
= A Prince, for voice and continuo 1
= A Song in the Prophetess, for voice and continuo 1
= Ah! cruel nymph! you give despair for soprano and continuo, Z.352 1
= Ah! how pleasant 'tis to love, for soprano and continuo, Z.353 1
= Amidst the Shades and Cool Refreshing Streams, Z.355 1
= Amidst the Shades, for voice and continuo 1
= As Amoret and Thirsis lay, song (from 'The Old Bachelor'), Z. 607/11 1
= As Roger Last Night to Jenny Lay Close, catch for 3 voices, Z.242 1
= Be Welcome, then, Great Sir, for 2 voices and continuo 1
= But ah, I see Eusebia drown’d in tears, for voice and continuo 1
= Cease, anxious World, for voice and continuo 1
= Come, Let Us Drink, catch for 3 voices and continuo, Z.245 2
= Corinna is divinely fair, song, Z.365 1
= Cupid, the Slyest Rogue Alive, Z.367 2
= Down, Down with Bacchus, catch for 3 voices, Z.247 1
= Fairest Isle (from 'King Arthur'), aria for soprano, Z.628/38 1
= Fly Swift, Ye Hours, Z.369 1
= From Silent Shades and the Elysian Groves ('Bess of Bedlam'), Z.370 7
= Fye Nay Prithee John 1
= Hail Gracious Glorianna, Hail!, for 2 voices and continuo 1
= Hail, bright Cecilia, Z.328 14
= Hark, how the wild musicians sing, Z.542 1
= Her charming strains, for voice and continuo 1
= Here let my life, for 2 voices and continuo 2
= How happy's the husband (from 'Love Triumphant'), song, Z. 582/1 1
= How Pleasant is this Flowery Plain, for soprano, tenor, 2 recorders, and continuo, Z.543 1
= I Gave Her Cakes and I Gave Her Ale, catch for 3 voices, Z.256 1
= I lov'd fair Celia, Z.381 3
= I Love and I Must, Z.382 1
= If Ever I More Riches Did Desire, for 2 sopranos, tenor, bass, 2 violins, and continuo, Z.544 1
= If Music Be the Food of Love, Z.379 24
= Incassum, Lesbia, incassum rogas (on the death of Queen Mary), Z.383 5
= Incassum, Lesbia, Z.383, 'Queen's Epicedium' 1
= Lost is My Quiet Forever, for 2 voices and continuo, Z.502 4
= Lovely Albina's Come Ashore, Z.394 2
= Mad Bess of Bedlam ('From silent shades') 1
= Music for a While (from 'Oedipus'), song, Z. 583/2 3
= Music for a while, for voice and continuo 1
= My Lady's Coachman, John, catch for 3 voices, Z.260 1
= No, no resistance is but vain, for voice and continuo 1
= Not All My Torments Can Your Pity Move, Z.400 5
= Now that the sun hath veiled his light (An Evening Hymn on a Ground), Z.193 1
= O dive custos Auriacae domus (On the death of Queen Mary), for 2 sopranos and continuo, Z.504 16
= O how happy's he, Z.403 (incomplete; continuo lost) 1
= O lead me to some peaceful gloom, for voice and continuo 2
= O let me weep, for voice and continuo 1
= O Solitude, My Sweetest Choice, Z.406 19
= O! Fair Cedaria, Hide Those Eyes, Z.402 2
= O, I’m sick of life, Z.140 (devotional song) 2
= Olinda in the Shades Unseen, Z.404 2
= On the brow of Richmond Hill, Z.405 1
= Once, twice, thrice, I Julia tried, catch for 3 voices, Z.265 1
= Pious Celinda goes to prayers, song, Z.410 2
= Plung’d in the confines of despair, Z.142 (devotional song) 1
= Pox on You for a Fop, catch for 3 voices, Z.268 1
= Saccharissa's grown old, for 2 voices and continuo, Z.507 1
= She Loves and She Confesses Too, Z.413 5
= Since from my dear Astrea's sight (from 'Prophetess'), aria for soprano, Z. 627/App2 2
= Sir Walter Enjoying His Damsel, catch for 3 voices, Z.273 1
= Soft Notes and Gently Raised ('A Serenading Song'), Z.510 3
= Stript of Their Green Our Groves Appear, Z.444 1
= Sweeter than roses (from 'Pausanius'), song, Z. 585/1 3
= Sweetness of Nature, for voice and continuo 1
= The Fatal Hour Comes on Apace, Z.421 6
= The Miller's Daugter Riding, catch for 3 voices, Z.277 1
= The Night is Come, for 2 voices and continuo, Z.77 (doubtful) 1
= The Plaint, for voice and continuo 1
= Thrice happy lovers, for voice and continuo 1
= Thus to a ripe, consenting maid (from 'Old Bachelor'), song, Z.607/10 1
= Tom the Taylor 1
= Urge Me No More, Z.426 1
= What a sad fate is mine, Z.428 (2 versions) 3
= What Can We Poor Females Do? for soprano and continuo, Z.429 1
= What Hope for Us Remains Now He Is Gone?, On the Death of Matthew Locke, Z.472 1
= When First Amintas Sued for a Kiss, Z.430 4
= When her languishing eyes said 'love', song, Z.432 1
= When on my sick bed I languish, Z.144 (devotional song) 1
= Why, My Daphne, Why Complaining? for 2 voices and continuo, Z.525 1
= Young Thyrsis' fate, ye hills and groves, deplore (On the death of Thomas Farmer), song for soprano, bass and continuo, Z.473 1
= She That Would Gain a Faithfull Lover, for voice and ensemble, Z.414 1
= The Comical History of Don Quixote, Z.578, Pt.3
