Classical album review: Henry Purcell - Ten Sonatas In Four Parts

Published on Saturday 8 August 2009 16:44

HENRY PURCELL Ten Sonatas In Four Parts ***** Linn CKD 332, £13.70

The King's Consort, with its associated choir, had a distinguished recording history, selling over a million copies of more than 90 recordings. As the Retrospect Ensemble, it's already spawned a subordinate ensemble in the form of the Retrospect Trio, featured here.

This recording shows the influences of Italian and French contemporaries on Purcell and other English composers. Unlike musical conservatives of the time, Purcell freely admired his musical rivals, even participating in some of the earliest performances of the newly introduced sonata form.

These sprightly works, published posthumously but probably written about 20 years earlier, show Purcell drawing on European influences while never forgetting English traditions (and his English audience). Well-rounded music performed with polish and grace.

Download this: Sonata 1 In B Minor, Vivace