Purcell: Harmonia Sacra / Rousset, Les Talens Lyri

Rosemary Joshua (soprano), Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset

Purcell was not just a creature of the theatre - his genius with the human voice also extended to sacred and secular songs. Among his least well-known works, many of Purcell's sacred songs remained in manuscript and known only to a select few. It is possible that they were intended solely for an elite audience at court. Published by Henry Playford, Harmonia Sacra was a two-volume anthology of devotional song containing compositions by Purcell and several of his contemporaries. The settings here are scored for small forces - one to two voices, accompanied by continuo. The emotional range, however, is huge. This disc, featuring soprano Rosemary Joshua supported by Christophe Rousset and members of Les Talens Lyriques, presents a selection of sixteen of Purcell's solo songs interspersed with his works for harpsichord played by Christophe Rousset.

Price: $20.98