Restoration London leaps to life in a programme of music about music. It begins and ends with two of Henry Purcell’s odes to St Cecilia, music’s patron saint, and includes a richly chromatic trio sonata by the Anglo-Italian composer Giovanni Battista Draghi. Henry Hall’s ode and John Blow’s memorial setting of verse by John Dryden express the grief felt by Purcell’s friends and colleagues following his tragically early death in 1695, eulogies to ‘the matchless Man’ and English Orpheus who revolutionised London’s musical landscape.  

Henry Purcell Welcome to all the Pleasures, Z.339
John Blow Chaconne in 4 parts
Giovanni Battista Draghi Trio sonata in G minor
Henry Purcell Overture in D minor, Z.771
Henry Hall Yes, My Aminta, ‘tis too true
Henry Purcell Overture in G Minor, Z.772
John Blow Ode on the Death of Henry Purcell
William Croft Sonata for two violins & two recorders
Henry Purcell Raise the voice, Z.334  

Nicholas Mulroy director and tenor
Jessica Cale soprano
Samuel Boden tenor
Christopher Webb bass