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Retrospect Trio
Henry Purcell: Ten Sonata's in Four Parts
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (48) - Disc #1
1. Sonata I in B minor - Adagio
2. Sonata I in B minor - Canzona
3. Sonata I in B minor - Largo
4. Sonata I in B minor - Vivace
5. Sonata II in E-flat major - Adagio
6. Sonata II in E-flat major - Canzona: Allegro
7. Sonata II in E-flat major - Adagio
8. Sonata II in E-flat major - Largo
9. Sonata II in E-flat major - Allegro
10. Sonata III in A minor - Grave
11. Sonata III in A minor - Largo
12. Sonata III in A minor - Adagio
13. Sonata III in A minor - Canzona
14. Sonata III in A minor - [Allegro] Grave
15. Sonata IV in D minor - Adagio
16. Sonata IV in D minor - Canzona
17. Sonata IV in D minor - Adagio
18. Sonata IV in D minor - Vivace
19. Sonata IV in D minor - Largo
20. Sonata V in G minor - [...]
21. Sonata V in G minor - Canzona
22. Sonata V in G minor - Largo
23. Sonata V in G minor - Adagio
24. Sonata V in G minor - Presto
25. Sonata V in G minor - Allegro
26. Sonata V in G minor - Adagio
27. Sonata VI in G minor - Adagio
28. Sonata VII in C major - Vivace
29. Sonata VII in C major - Largo
30. Sonata VII in C major - Grave
31. Sonata VII in C major - Canzona
32. Sonata VII in C major - Allegro
33. Sonata VII in C major - Adagio
34. Sonata VIII in G minor - Adagio
35. Sonata VIII in G minor - Canzona
36. Sonata VIII in G minor - Grave
37. Sonata VIII in G minor - Largo
38. Sonata VIII in G minor - Vivace
39. Sonata IX in F major - [...]
40. Sonata IX in F major - Adagio
41. Sonata IX in F major - Canzona Allegro
42. Sonata IX in F major - Grave
43. Sonata IX in F major - Allegro
44. Sonata X in D major - Adagio
45. Sonata X in D major - Canzona: Allegro
46. Sonata X in D major - Grave
47. Sonata X in D major - Largo
48. Sonata X in D major - Allegro

CD Details

All Artists: Retrospect Trio
Title: Henry Purcell: Ten Sonata's in Four Parts
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Linn Records
Release Date: 5/1/2009
Album Type: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import
Genre: Classical
Style: Chamber Music
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 691062033220

Synopsis

Product Description

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.

CD Reviews

Superb Playing, Recording

Paul Van de Water | Virginia, USA | 08/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The King's Consort and Matthew Halls, its new director, have recently been awarded the 2009 Stanley Sadie prize for their premiere recording on Hyperion of Handel's serenata "Parnasso in Festa" Parnasso in Festa. From May 2009 the group also has a new name--the Retrospect Ensemble--and a new label--Linn Records. This SACD marks the debut recording of a Retrospect sub-group, a four-person ensemble named the Retrospect Trio (apparently the continuo player doesn't count).

Linn is known for the high quality of its recordings, which are released not only on SACD but also in several download formats (MP3, CD quality, and studio master). Among my favorites are the Dunedin Consort's "Messiah" Messiah - George Frideric Handel, Dublin Version 1742 and the SCO's Mozart-Levin "Requiem" (conducted by Charles Mackerras) Mozart: Requiem; Adagio & Fugue [Stereo/Multichannel]. This disc, recorded in a church in Berkshire, meets the high standards of its predecessors. "Classics Today" has awarded it a 10/10 rating for both artistic quality and sound quality.

This year marks the 350th anniversary of the birth of Henry Purcell (1659-1695), one of England's greatest composers. Purcell is probably best known for his vocal music, including "Dido and Aeneas" (the first English opera), five masques ("The Fairy Queen," "King Arthur," "The Indian Queen," "The Tempest," and "Dioclesian"), and many anthems and odes (of which the most famous may be "Come, Ye Sons of Art"). These ten sonatas, published two years after the composer's death, follow an earlier set of twelve (which are also to be recorded by Retrospect). They blend the latest French, Italian, and English styles with Purcell's unique harmonies and dissonances. Another reviewer describes them as "immediately ingratiating to the ear and appealing to the emotions." If you like other works by Purcell, or by his contemporaries Corelli or Couperin, this disc will give you great pleasure."

Cool! I now like Purcell!

David Douglass | Bloomingdale, NJ | 09/12/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Purcell has always been one of those composers who never quite clicked with me. Sure, some nice stuff here and there, but I always felt something was missing. This music hits the mark; very nice indeed.

The liner notes speak of "several notable Italian violin virtuosi". I'm very fond of the Italian baroque masters and it seems Purcell became immersed in the Italian way when he wrote these.

The performances are excellent. Hey, Retrospect Trio, maybe some Corelli next?

"