Purcell’s & Clarke’s Trumpeter

The art of John Shore (ca. 1662-1752), the most gifted military and court trumpeter in his family, lutenist, inventor of the U-shaped tuning fork and shrewd businessman, remains linked to the name of the composer Henry Purcell.

The Rosetti Players, therefore, offer an anthology of the most beautiful pages written for him or inspired by Shore, from composers Henry & Daniel Purcell, Jeremiah Clarke, Godfrey Keller, John Eccles, Godfrey Finger, and James Peasable.

This journey through Restoration London is made to the sound of a faithful copy of a silver trumpet by the maker William Bull (1650–?) and a recent one made by Graham Nicholson (Den Haag). The harpsichord used in this concert is an original example from the University of Edinburgh's Musical Instrument Collection.

'Formerly, the trumpet had its place in noisy military music; now, having learned to play softly, it knows how to accompany the most tender flutes and perform in duets with the most delicate voices.' - Godfrey Keller, Six Sonatas

This series of concerts is generously supported by George and Joy Sypert.