It is not clear why
Henry Purcell
composed these "
Fantazias
" in 1680, at a time when the form was already old-fashioned; they reflect none of the new stylistic breezes coming from Italy or even France. Perhaps he meant to give himself some contrapuntal exercises or to indulge an impulse toward experimentation. Both tendencies are present in these fascinating little pieces for violin, two violas, and cello, which are not terribly often recorded. They contain contrapuntal artifice that
Bach
would have admired, yet they are full of the striking dissonant clashes that marked the music of
Purcell
's teacher,
John Blow
. Above all, they are intensely expressive, with an astonishing range of emotions for a set of polyphonic essays. Sample the dizzyingly complex yet deeply somber opening of the
Fantazia V
. This album was recorded in 2015. There is no word on why it took eight years to appear, but even at that time, it marked a remarkable accomplishment for violinist
John Holloway
, one of the pioneers of early music in Britain and a musician who has never failed to keep producing adventurous recordings. If this turns out to be his last recording, it will be an impressive valedictory appearance. The album made classical best-seller charts in the autumn of 2023. ~ James Manheim