Another "What Might Have Been"

A recording of instrumental music by Purcell, Ayres For The Theatre showcases much of the incidental music he wrote to accompany plays in the Restoration when theatre was once again allowed in England following Cromwell's tenure. The performers here are The Parley Of Instruments directed by Peter Holman, a combination that did much sterling work in the early days of the period instrument movement. Music here comes from such productions as Abdelazar ( which includes the famous Rondeau used by Britten for the Young Person's Guide ) Timon of Athens, The Gordion Knot Unty'd, Bonduca and The Virtuous Wife and it is fair to say that the music has long outlived the dramatic "inspiration" if such it was. Much of the conjecture about the forces Purcell had available to him is guesswork but the band here comprises natural trumpet ( Crispian Steele-Perkins ) violin, violas and bass violin ( including Pavlo Beznosiuk ) theorbo, archlute and harpsichord. Music that leads into the coming baroque style and again highlights a "what might have been" story had Purcell been granted a longer life.