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Born this week in 1659, Henry Purcell remains one of the most beloved and influential composers of the Baroque era. To mark the occasion, we’ve put together a playlist of some of his greatest hits – from dramatic operatic arias and contemplative lute songs to fantasias and majestic works written for English royalty. You will also discover some lesser-known gems, performed by some of the finest Early Music artists of today.

Highlights include tracks from If the Fates Allow — the Continuo-funded album by Sounds Baroque and Helen Charlston, her debut recording with BIS Records, featuring songs by Purcell and his contemporaries; captivating recordings by Continuo Patrons Dame Emma Kirkby and Rachel Podger, as well as from Continuo's first patron, the late conductor Sir Roger Norrington; and revered interpretations from Jordi Savall, Les Arts Florissants and the Academy of Ancient Music, among others.

Listen on Spotify.

TRACK LIST

1. ‘Rondeau–Air–Air–Minuet’ from Abdelazer, Z570 | Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
2. Movement II from Welcome to all the pleasures, Z339 | Charles Daniels, Charles Pott, Gillian Fischer, James Bowman, The Kings Consort, Michael Chance
3. ‘Music for a while’ from Oedipus, Z583 | Helen Charlston, Sounds Baroque
4. Prelude in G minor for solo violin, ZN 773 | Rachel Podger
5. ‘Crown the altar, deck the shrine’ from Celebrate This Festival, Z321 (Birthday Ode for Queen Anne) | Emma Kirkby, Anthony Rooley
6. ‘Rondeau–Menuet–Boree–March–Jig’ from The Old Bachelor, Z607 | Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
7. ‘The cares of lovers’ from The History of Timon of Athens, the Man-Hater, Z632 | Helen Charlston, Sounds Baroque
8. Fantasia upon One Note | Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XX
9. ‘Chaconne–Air–Minuet’ from The Gordian Knot Untied, Z597 | Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
10. Sweeter than Roses, Z585 | Emma Kirkby, Anthony Rooley
11. Fantasia No. 1 in three parts | Jordi Savall, Hespèrion XX
12. Sonata in G minor, Z780 | Rachel Podger, Brecon Baroque
13. ‘When I am laid in earth’ (Dido’s Lament) from Dido and Aeneas, Z626 | Helen Charlston, Toby Carr
14. Evening Hymn, Z193 | Emma Kirkby, Anthony Rooley
15. Fantasia No. 4 in four parts | Jordi Savall, Hespèrion XX
16. Overture
17. ‘First Music: Prelude’
18. ‘If love’s a sweet passion’
– from The Fairy Queen, Z628 | London Classical Players, Sir Roger Norrington
19. Fantasia No. 6 in four parts | Jordi Savall, Hespèrion XX
20. ‘From rosy bowers’ from Don Quixote | Emma Kirkby, Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
21. If music be the food of love, Z379a (first version) | Helen Charlston, Sounds Baroque
22. Overture
23. ‘With drooping wings ye Cupids come’
– from Dido and Aeneas, Z626 | Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
24. Fantasia No. 9 in four parts | Jordi Savall, Hespèrion XX
25. O Solitude, my sweetest choice, Z406 | Helen Charlston, Sounds Baroque
26. ‘Air–Jig–Hornpipe–Air’ from Abdelazer, Z570 | Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
27. ‘I look’d and saw within’ from The Indian Emperor or The Conquest of Mexico | Emma Kirkby, Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
28. Funeral March I from Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary, Z860 | Baroque Brass of London, Choir of Clare College Cambridge, Timothy Brown
29. ‘They Tell Us That Your Mighty Powers’ from The Indian Queen, Z630 | Catherine Bott, Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
30. ‘Hail Bright Cecilia’ from Ode to St Cecilia, Z328 | John Eliot Gardiner, Ashley Stafford, Brian Gordon, David Thomas, The Monteverdi Choir
31. Pavan No. 4 in G minor, Z751 | Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
32. Overture
33. Air
34. ‘Woden, first to thee’
– from King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z628 | Les Arts Florissants, William Christie
35. ‘Love, thou art best’ from The Female Virtuosos | Emma Kirkby, Judith Nelson, Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
36. ‘Sound the Trumpet, Sound’ from Come, Ye Sons of Art Away, Z323 | Michael Chance, Timothy Wilson, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert