Dorian Recordings

DOR-90309

Henry Purcell
Sonatas and Theatre Music

Chatham Baroque
Julie Andrijeski, Violin • Emily Davidson, Violin
Patricia Halverson, Viola da Gamba • Scott Pauley, Theorbo & Baroque Guitar
Special Guest Artist - Scott Metcalf, Violin
DOR-90309 Cover

Hailed in his time as the "English Orpheus" and remembered by the motto, "A greater musical genius England never had," Henry Purcell (1659-1695) lived a tragically short, but incredibly productive life as a composer. His instrumental music forms a relatively small but impressive part of his total output, which includes dramatic music (opera and semi-opera), odes and welcome songs, sacred music, as well as secular vocal music. In the instrumental realm he wrote overtures, dances, and song tunes for various theatrical works, fantasias, In Nomines, harpsichord and organ music, as well as two collections of trio sonatas. This recording explores music for strings and continuo: four trio sonatas, as well as two instrumental suites from his Ayres for the Theatre (1697). We also include an instrumental work for three violins and continuo, "3 parts upon a ground." . . .
- Scott Pauley

Sonata VI in C Major (1683)
1. [ . . . ]
2. Canzona
3. Largo
4. Allegro

Musick in Distressed Innocence, or,
The Princess of Persia, 1690
5. Overture
6. Aire
7. Slow Aire
8. Aire
9. Hornpipe
10. Rondeau
11. Aire
12. Minuett

Sonata VI in G Minor (1696)
13. Adagio [Passacaille]

Sonata I in G Minor (1683)
14. [ . . . ]
15. Allegro (Vivace)
16. Adagio
17. Presto
18. Largo

Sonata VIII in G Major (1683)
19. [ . . . ]
20. Poco Largo
21. Allegro
22. Grave/Vivace

Musick in The Virtuous Wife (1694)
23. Overture
24. Song tune
25. Slow Aire
26. Aire
27. Preludio
28. Hornpipe
29. Minuett
30. Minuett

Sonata III in D Minor (1683)
31. [. . . ]/Adagio
32. Canzona/Adagio
33. Poco Largo/Allegro

Three Parts upon a Ground (RM20.h.9)
34. [Chaconne]

Total Time: 61:40

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