Ensemble Unmeasured presents a cross-section of Henry Purcell’s astonishing writing for solo voice and continuo, showing the emotional range, depth, immediacy, and richness of his music.

Devotion: sacred and secular songs by Henry Purcell (DXL 1183) Digital Booklet

1) From Rosy Bow’rs (6.38)
2) Amidst The Shades (2.57)
3) Fly Swift, Ye Hours (5.24)
4) Lord, What Is Man? (5.49)
5) The Blessed Virgin’s Expostulation (7.02)
6) O Solitude (5.24)
7) O Fair Cedaria (4.08)
8) The Fatal Hour (3.31)
9) Music For A While (3.45)
10) Incassum, Lesbia (7.21)
11) Sweeter Than Roses (3.16)
12) When First Amintas (2.27)
13) An Evening Hymn (4.51)

Ensemble Unmeasured is a new, flexible ensemble dedicated to making old music sound new. It takes its name from the unmeasured preludes and toccatas of the 17th century, but also refers to the magic of music itself, which cannot be measured or quantified. Soprano Julia Doyle – “radiant, intelligent and wholly engaging” (The Guardian) – is well-known as a specialist in music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and has worked with many of the top ensembles all over the world. Kate Bennett Wadsworth is a cellist and gambist devoted to historical performance of all periods, and has appeared at festivals across Europe and North America as a chamber musician, soloist, and continuo player. “Her sense of musical gesture and line has the strength and grace of a wild animal” (Early Music America). Historical keyboardist Christopher Bucknall is a rising star both on the concert platform and in the opera house, sharing his passion for bringing music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries alive. “One could not dream of a better interpretation” (ResMusica). Matthew Wadsworth has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest lutenists. Working in the UK, Europe and North America as a soloist and chamber musician, he has appeared at most major concert halls and festivals, and can often be heard on radio, both in live performance and recordings. “A ringing endorsement of the beauty of the theorbo… allowing the notes to speak with unequivocal conviction” (Gramophone).

Cover art by Joy Richardson