Known for their diverse and colourful programmes, The Flautadors recorder quartet is firmly established as one of the UK’s leading recorder ensemble.  Their repertoire spans 800 years treating listeners to medieval polyphony through to today’s newest compositions.

This disc finds them exploring the works of two important British composers, Henry Purcell and Matthew Locke and in collaboration renowned lutenist David Miller, who is in much demand both as a soloist and accompanist.

Purcell utilized the recorder in many songs, odes, symphonies and of course in some of his greatest dramatic works.  Whilst the recorder quartet never appeared as such, recorders were amongst the musical forces employed and, since much of the theatre music appears in four part score, it transfers easily.

Purcell, a great admirer of Locke, composed nine Fantazias in four parts in the year 1680.  Many of the Fantazias cannot be played on recorders without some alterations or compromises. This CD features a selected four that felt comfortable on recorders and seemed to lend themselves more to the timbre of wind instruments.

Henry Purcell – Phantasies, Ayres & Chaconys (DXL 1123) Digital Booklet

Track List:

1) Chaconne from King Arthur, Z628.1 – Purcell
2 – 5) Suite No. 4 – Locke
6) Fantazia No. 6, Z737 – Purcell
7) Fantazia No. 7, Z738 – Purcell
8 – 12) Theatre suite – Locke
13) Prelude, ZN773 – Purcell
14) Two in one upon a ground, Z627.16 – Purcell
15-18) Suite No. 3 – Locke
19) Fantazia No. 11, Z742 – Purcell
20) Fantazia No. 12, Z743 – Purcell
21 – 26) Theatre suite – Purcell
27) Chaconne – Three parts upon a ground, Z731 – Purcell