?Beauteous Softness is La Nuova Musica's third Pentatone album, presenting restrained yet profoundly moving songs by seventeenth- century English composers such as Purcell, Blow, Humfrey and Webb. The album also showcases the rich musical context that provided the foundation from which Purcell rose to prominence. David Bates and his players perform them together with Tim Mead, one of today's most outstanding countertenors. La Nuova Musica and it's artistic director David Bates are among the most exciting Baroque ensembles of today. Their Pentatone debut with Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice was both BBC Music Magazine's Choice and Gramophone Editor's Choice in December 2019, while Handel's Unsung Heroes (2021) was BBC Music Magazine Recording of the Month and selected among the Best Classical Music Albums of 2022 by Gramophone. Tim Mead returns to the label after having starred in a complete recording of Handel's Messiah (2020).

Tracklist:

If music be the food of love, Z. 379a
Lovely Selina
Yorkshire feast song, 'Of old, when heroes thought it base'), Z. 333~The pale and purple rose
Hymn to God the Father ('Wilt Thou forgive that sin')
Venus and Adonis~Overture
In the black dismal dungeon of despair, Z. 190
Fly, bold rebellion, Welcome song for Charles II, 1683, Z. 324~Be welcome then, great Sir
Powerful Morpheus
Arise, my muse, Birthday ode for Queen Mary, 1690, Z. 320~Arise, my muse
Yorkshire feast song, `Of old, when heroes thought it base', Z. 333~So when the glitt'ring Queen of Night
ode on the death of Mr Henry Purcell~So ceas'd the rival crew when Purcell came
Te Deum and Jubilate, Z. 232~Vouchsafe, O Lord
King Arthur~Chaconne - First Music
Plaint from The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: O let me weep
Now does the glorious day appear, Z. 332, Ode for Queen Mary's birthday, 1689~By beauteous softness
Poor Celadon, he sighs in vain (Loving above himself)
Celebrate this festival, Z. 321, Ode for Queen Mary's birthday, 1693~Crown the altar
Sleep, downy sleep, come close mine eyes (Anthem for the evening)
Evening hymn ('Now that the sun hath veiled his light'), Z. 193

UPC: 8717306260473
Label: Pentatone
Release Date: 3.24.23
Format: CD

Mead / Bates / La Nuova Musica - Beauteous Softness (CD)