Purcell: The Complete Suites & Other Music for Keyboard

Featuring

Cristian Sandrin
Henry Purcell

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Historical Context

Purcell lived in a cosmopolitan English court that sought to emulate the new French musical style of Louis XIV's court, influencing his teachers and the style of his Eight Suites.

Recording & Production

The idea for this recording of overlooked Baroque keyboard music on a modern piano was sparked by a chance hearing of Myra Hess's recording of a Saraband from Purcell's Keyboard Suite No. 2.

Instruments

A modern piano, like a microscope, allows for greater magnification of early music details, sustaining sounds longer and creating legato effects more readily than period instruments like spinets or harpsichords.

Interpretation

The performer, Cristian Sandrin, views the use of a modern piano for Purcell's Baroque music as an opportunity to magnify details and review a bygone era's culture in a more familiar language.

Composer Biography

Henry Purcell, the composer, was born in London in 1659, a year after the monarchy was restored with King Charles II, and his family was deeply involved in music.

Composition History

Purcell's Eight Suites were published posthumously by his widow, Frances Purcell, and were likely composed for his noble students to enjoy a private musical experience.

Cultural Impact

Queen Mary II's love for music and dance made dance forms a popular genre among English composers of Purcell's time, influencing much of his secular output.