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?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 tag after having starred in a complete recording of Handel's Messiah (2020). Album Tracks 1. If music be the food of love, Z. 379a 2. Lovely Selina 3. Yorkshire feast song, 'Of old, when heroes thought it base'), Z. 333~The pale and purple rose 4. Hymn to God the Father ('Wilt Thou forgive that sin') 5. Venus and Adonis~Overture 6. In the black dismal dungeon of despair, Z. 190 7. Fly, bold rebellion, Welcome song for Charles II, 1683, Z. 324~Be welcome then, great Sir 8. Powerful Morpheus 9. Arise, my muse, Birthday ode for Queen Mary, 1690, Z. 320~Arise, my muse 10. Yorkshire feast song, ‘Of old, when heroes thought it base', Z. 333~So when the glitt’ring Queen of Night 11. ode on the death of Mr Henry Purcell~So ceas'd the rival crew when Purcell came 12. Te Deum and Jubilate, Z. 232~Vouchsafe, O Lord 13. King Arthur~Chaconne – First Music 14. Plaint from The Fairy Queen, Z. 629 O let me weep 15. Now does the glorious day appear, Z. 332, Ode for Queen Mary’s birthday, 1689~By beauteous soft
