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"Clearly the King's Consort understand and love these pieces ... I do not intend to find fault with their interpretations or indeed the recording, which has presence without being overpowering ..." - MusicWeb International "... violinists Cecilia Bernardini and Huw Daniel are first-rate, ideally matched in a transparent but easily sustained and beautiful sound ... (there is) a sweet grace and clarity to these new performances that makes for pleasant listening indeed." - Gramophone "Four Stars ... the King's Consort, whose Purcellian pedigree has been honed over a long and distinguished discography, presents informed yet instinctive performances. Purcell's expressive points are made without exaggeration and the players steer a course through the numerous tempo changes with effortless fluidity ... this is glorious music, gloriously played." - BBC Music Magazine The King’s Consort has championed the music of Purcell for three decades, creating more than 24 albums including three major recording series, which have won numerous international awards and played a central role in restoring the great composer to prominence. On this acclaimed release the lineup features Italian-Dutch violinist Cecilia Bernardini, Japanese viol player Reiko Ichise, Welsh violinist Huw Daniel, English organist and harpsichordist Robert King and theorbo player Lynda Sayce, all recorded in the almost perfect acoustic of St John’s Church, Loughton. Proudly published by the young Purcell in 1683, the highly individual, wonderfully inventive Twelve Sonatas of Three Parts combine French elegance, Italian vigour and delicious English melancholy with harmonic daring, extraordinary contrapuntal technique, ravishing dissonances and unique melodic ingenuity.