Purcell: Why, why are all the Muses mute?, Z343

“Come ye Sons of Art is splendidly paired here with the unforgettable funeral music… With the Monteverdi Choir at its most incisive and understanding the performances are exemplary…” Penguin Guide 08 *** Key recording

Well, strictly speaking this is not a new release, but as the original issue of this important and unique set has been out of stock for almost two years we think a reminder is called for.

The need to create new artwork caused the hiatus in repressing, but it also gave us the opportunity to re-think the packaging, and the set is now contained within a slim clamshell box with cardboard inner sleeves (rather than the original large box containing eight standard jewel cases with individual booklets for each disc). There is now one substantial and fully updated 72-page booklet which contains all the texts and a trilingual note.

This is the only complete recording of Purcell’s Odes and Welcome Songs and, as such, one of the treasures of the Hyperion catalogue—it makes a very welcome return.