Released to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the birth of “Henry Purcell: Ten Sonata’s in Four Parts”, is performed by Retrospect Trio, a group formed under the umbrella of the larger Retrospect brand. The release date will coincide with the launch of Retrospect, formerly known as The King’s Consort. • This recording explores the timeless beauty of Purcell’s first set of sonatas including the magnificent Sonata IX, known as 'The Golden Sonata'. • The Ten Sonata’s in Four Parts (published after Purcell's death in 1697) provide a fascinating insight into the cosmopolitan and often conflicting stylistic tastes of English musicians in the latter part of the seventeenth century. • Purcell blends the significant French, Italian and English influences including unique use of counterpoint, unusual and exotic dissonances and strikingly abrupt melodic changes of direction. • The name Retrospect Trio acknowledges the common practice of not recognising the continuo presence in either the title of the pieces or the performing group. • The four members of the group, Sophie Gent (violin), Matthew Truscott (violin), Jonathan Manson (bass viol) and Matthew Halls (harpsichord / organ, are all distinguished international performers in their own right with a shared passion for historically-informed music-making. • Matthew Halls was Associate Director (2005-2007) and Artistic Director (2007-2009) of The King’s Consort before taking up his position as Artistic Director of Retrospect Ensemble. “Henry Purcell: Ten Sonata’s in Four Parts” is a fitting tribute to Purcell by four superstar baroque instrumentalists and the first recording in the highly anticipated Retrospect Ensemble series.