T’is Too Late To Be Wise

1. Henry Purcell - 01 - 9 Fantasias, Z. 735-43 - No. 8. Fantasia a 4 in G Major, Z. 742
2. Henry Purcell - 02 - The History of Timon of Athens, Z. 632 - Curtain Tune on a ground
3. Matthew Locke - 03 - The Tempest, Z. 631 - IV. Curtain Tune
4. Matthew Locke - 04 - Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major - I. Fantazie
5. Matthew Locke - 05 - Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major - II. Courante
6. Matthew Locke - 06 - Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major - III. Ayre
7. Matthew Locke - 07 - Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major - IV. Saraband
8. Joseph Haydn - 08 - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70 - I. Adagio
9. Joseph Haydn - 09 - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70 - II. Adagio cantabile
10. Joseph Haydn - 10 - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70 - III. Menuetto. Allegro - Trio
11. Joseph Haydn - 11 - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70 - IV. Finale. Allegretto
12. Henry Purcell - 12 - 9 Fantasias, Z. 735-43 - No. 2. Fantasia a 4 in B-Flat Major, Z. 736
13. Henry Purcell - 13 - King Arthur, Z. 628 - Fairest Isle
14. Matthew Locke - 14 - Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 1 in D Minor - II. Courante
15. Matthew Locke - 15 - Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 1 in D Minor - III. Ayre
16. Henry Purcell - 16 - King Arthur, Z. 628 - Hornpipe
17. Henry Purcell - 17 - Pavan in G Minor, Z. 752
18. Henry Purcell - 18 - Chacony in G Minor, Z. 730
19. John Blow - 19 - Venus and Adonis - Act Tune

Liberty, enthusiasm and sharing: that might well be the motto of the Kitgut Quartet (named for the ‘kitgut’ or catgut strings it uses), which brings together four outstanding soloists, all of them members of the leading period-instrument European ensembles. This first recording devoted to Haydn and England (Purcell, Locke, Blow) explores the origins of the string quartet via a number of carefully chosen gems. A journey through time with plenty of surprises in store!