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.

• Blow: Suite in D minor: Ayre
• Blow: Suite in D minor: Courante
• Blow: Suite No. 2 in D
• Blow: Venus and Adonis: Act II Act Tune
• Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 71 No. 2 in D major
• Locke: Consort of four parts: Suite No. 1 in D minor
• Locke: Consort of four parts: Suite No. 2 in D major
• Locke: Curtain Tune from The Tempest
• Purcell: Chacony
• Purcell: Chacony in G minor - for Two Violins, Viola and Bass Z730
• Purcell: Curtain Tune from Timon of Athens Z632
• Purcell: Fairest Isle (from King Arthur)
• Purcell: Fantazia 11 in G major, Z. 742
• Purcell: Fantazia 4 in G minor, Z. 735
• Purcell: Fantazia 5 in B flat major, Z. 736
• Purcell: Hornpipe (from King Arthur)
• Purcell: Pavan for Three Violins and Bass in G minor - Z752
• Purcell: The Tempest: Curtain Tune