Purcell Quartet

In the sphere of Baroque music performance, the Purcell Quartet has established itself among the foremost chamber ensembles. While the ensemble's title reflects an intense commitment to Henry Purcell's chamber compositions—with extensive performances and recordings encompassing his complete three- and four-part sonatas as well as all pavans—its broader catalogue embraces pieces by J.S. Bach, Corelli, Handel, Vivaldi, Schütz, and numerous additional Baroque figures. What distinguishes the players further is their presentation of staged operas, among them Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, alongside concert realizations of large-scale choral works by Bach, such as cantatas and masses. More than fifty recordings stand to their credit, issued predominantly on the Chandos label.

London saw the Purcell Quartet's formation in 1983, though its inaugural concert occurred only on February 14 of the ensuing year at St. John's, Smith Square. At that time the members comprised Robert Woolley on keyboard, Catherine Mackintosh on violin, Elizabeth Wallfisch on second violin, and Richard Boothby on cello and viola da gamba. A single personnel adjustment has occurred since: violinist Catherine Weiss succeeded Wallfisch.

Triumph at the 1984 debut concert propelled rapid recognition, yielding six Hyperion releases within three years, each centered on a distinct Baroque composer—Vivaldi, Corelli, Alessandro Scarlatti, C.P.E. Bach, Geminiani, and Marais. From 1987 onward the ensemble has recorded for Chandos Records, generating in excess of forty titles for the British imprint.

Widespread acclaim by the early 1990s brought engagements across Britain and internationally, with tours spanning Europe, the United States, South America, and segments of the Middle East. In 1998 the group journeyed to Japan for performances of Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea; three years later it returned for a notable presentation of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo featuring Mark Padmore. Additional prominent vocalists regularly joined the Purcell Quartet's operatic and concert productions, among them Emma Kirkby, Nancy Argenta, Michael Chance, and Peter Harvey.

An acclaimed concert at Wigmore Hall in February 2004 commemorated the ensemble's twentieth anniversary. Continued studio activity includes the 2006 Chandos release of Couperin's Les Nations, Vol. 2.