Daniel Purcell
‘The Unknown Purcell’
Sonatas by Daniel Purcell (c.1670-1717)
On this CD (CHAN 0795) can be found the premiere recording of Daniel Purcell’s surviving harpsichord music. With the exception of the preludial ‘Toccata’, the pieces are the composer’s own arrangements of various songs and dances for the theatre. David plays a double-manual harpsichord, a copy by Anne and Ian Tucker of the Ruckers/Hemsch in the Cobbe Collection at Hatchlands Park. The CD also features nine ‘Solos’ and ‘Sonatas’ for violin (Hazel Brooks) and continuo, as well as a fine Chaconne in A minor, again mostly premiere recordings.