Catalogue

Summary:

The young, vibrant musicians of The Parnassian Ensemble spotted a gap in the early music market and have filled it with flair, producing a debut album of original music for two recorders and continuo from the time of Queen Anne, most of it not previously available on disc. The only ensemble in England concentrating on this repertoire, the Parnassians relish in introducing to audiences this fine, original, early eighteenth-century English recorder music which would otherwise remain virtually unknown. The enthusiastic reception led them to commit their expertise to disc. Since its formation in 1998, The Parnassian Ensemble has gained a reputation for its virtuostic performances and innovative programming.

Tracklist:

William WILLIAMS (d. 1701)
Trio Sonata in F major ‘In Imitation of Birds’ (6:35)
1. I Adagio (2:03)
2. II Allegro (1:39)
3. III Grave (1:24)
4. IV Allegro (1:29)

Daniel PURCELL (c. 1660 – 1717)
Trio Sonata in G minor (4:19)
5. I Adagio (1:08)
6. II Allegro (0:54)
7. III Largo (1:17)
8. IV Allegro (1:00)

William CORBETT (d. 1748)
Trio Sonata in C major (4:52)
9. I Largo (0:47)
10. II Fuga – Presto (0:47)
11. III Adagio (1:19)
12. IV Jigga (1:59)

Nicola Francesco HAYM (c. 1679 – 1729)
Sonata in E minor for ‘cello and basso continuo (3:57)
13. I Largo (1:12)
14. II Allegro (0:36)
15. III Adagio (1:04)
16. IV Allegro (1:05)

Jacques PAISIBLE (c. 1650 – 1721)
Trio Sonata in C minor (8:55)
17. I Largo (1:02)
18. II Allmand (1:06)
19. III Aire (1:23)
20. IV Entrée (0:58)
21. V Rondeau (1:43)
22. VI Minuet (0:59)
23. VII Gavott (1:09)
24. VIII Aire (0:35)

Johann Christoph PEPUSCH (1667 – 1752)
Trio Sonata in F major (4:55)
25. I Largo (1:23)
26. II Allegro (1:02)
27. III Largo (0:55)
28. IV Vivace (1:35)

Henry PURCELL (1659 – 1695)
Suite No.2 in G minor for solo harpsichord (8:02)
29. I Prelude (1:13)
30. II Almand (3:24)
31. III Corant (1:34)
32. IV Saraband (1:51)

Gottfried KELLER (d. before 1704)
Trio Sonata in B flat major (4:17)
33. I Vivace (1:14)
34. II Allegro (1:21)
35. III Vivace (0:39)
36. IV Presto (1:03)

Gottfried FINGER (c.1660 – 1730)
Trio Sonata in G minor Op.6 No.2 (4:54)
37. I Adagio (1:20)
38. II Allegro (1:09)
39. III Adagio – Allegro – Adagio – Allegro (0:37)
40. IV Vivace (0:54)
41. V Allegro (0:54)

Jacques PAISIBLE
Sonata in C minor Op.1 No.3 for two treble recorders (9:27)
42. I Vivace (1:02)
43. II Grave (2:12)
44. III Allegro (1:44)
45. IV Largo (3:07)
46. V Presto (1:22)

George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759)
Trio Sonata in F major (5:43)
47. I Allegro (2:05)
48. II Grave (1:25)
49. III Allegro (2:13)

Total time: 66:19

The Parnassian Ensemble:
Sophie Middleditch and Helen Hooker, recorders
Joseph Crouch, cello
David Pollock, harpsichord

Recorded 18 – 20 January 2003, at The National Centre for Early Music, York England
Engineered and Produced by John Hadden