HENRY PURCELL

Ten Sonata’s in Four Parts

 

Sonata I in B minor

Sonata II in E-flat major

Sonata III in A minor

Sonata IV in D minor

Sonata V in G minor

Sonata VI in G minor

Sonata VII in C major

Sonata VIII in G minor

Sonata IX in F major

Sonata X in D major

 

Retrospect Trio

Sophie Gent (violin), Matthew Truscott (violin), Jonathan Manson (bass viol) and Matthew Halls (harpsichord / organ)

 

This release marks a new collaboration between Linn Records and Retrospect Ensemble.

 

Released to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the birth of “Henry Purcell: Ten Sonata’s in Four Parts”, is performed by Retrospect Trio, a group formed under the umbrella of the larger Retrospect brand. The release date will coincide with the launch of Retrospect, formerly known as The King’s Consort.

 

This recording explores the timeless beauty of Purcell’s first set of sonatas including the magnificent Sonata IX, known as 'The Golden Sonata'.  The Ten Sonata’s in Four Parts (published after Purcell's death in 1697) provide a fascinating insight into the cosmopolitan and often conflicting stylistic tastes of English musicians in the latter part of the seventeenth century.

 

Purcell blends the significant French, Italian and English influences including unique use of counterpoint, unusual and exotic dissonances and strikingly abrupt melodic changes of direction.

 

The name Retrospect Trio acknowledges the common practice of not recognising the continuo presence in either the title of the pieces or the performing group.

 

The four members of the group, Sophie Gent (violin), Matthew Truscott (violin), Jonathan Manson (bass viol) and Matthew Halls (harpsichord / organ, are all distinguished international performers in their own right with a shared passion for historically-informed music-making.

 

Matthew Halls was Associate Director (2005-2007) and Artistic Director (2007-2009) of The King’s Consort before taking up his position as Artistic Director of Retrospect Ensemble.

 

“Henry Purcell: Ten Sonata’s in Four Parts” is a fitting tribute to Purcell by four superstar baroque instrumentalists and the first recording in the highly anticipated Retrospect Ensemble series.

 

Linn Records SACD CKD332