'Very impressed with a CD of Henry Purcell (d. 1695), borrowed from my library: Three pieces: 'Come, ye sons of art, away - Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary II, 1694'; 'Welcome to all the pleasures - Ode for St. Cecilia's Day, 1683'; and 'Of old, when heroes thought it base - The Yorkshire Feast Song, 1690.' (Archiv label: Trevor Pinnock dir. from the harpsichord the Choir of the English Concert, with the English Concert led by Simon Standage on 1st violin.) One of the main attractions for me was the movement, "Sound the trumpet, sound" (countertenors 1 & 2), in 'Come, ye sons of art, away.' Since this is whatt I moste enjoye, I feel it's too bad it's the only segment displaying such rich musical counterpoints between two lines of music. Mind you, I do not denye that the instrumental work is quite beautyfull, often enchanting. The rhythmic backbone to the whole is also far more considerable than I'd've imagined. "Welcome to all the pleasures" I also found most engaging: one extended section in particular, where bass & chorus sing out: "Then lift up your voices, those organs of nature, / Those charms to the troubled and amorous creature. / Then lift up your voices," etc. 'Gives true refonance to that Englishe term *uplifting.* I'd welcome any advice on further works to pursue by someone captivated by Purcell's intricate harmonic and contrapuntal interplays ...more than by the solo instrumental and strictly choral music in these pieces. (BTW: pron. Pur-SELL or PUR-sul?) Thanks in advance. Bert Bailey