Te Deum and Jubilate Deo in D

Purcell was the outstanding musician and composer of his time in Britain. Like other seventeenth-century musicians, Purcell's career began in the church, first as a chorister at the Chapel Royal, then as organist at Westminster Abbey composing anthems. At court he enjoyed the favour of successive monarchs composing odes on special occasions, but his works for Mary II are the best known, composed when Purcell was reaching the height of his powers, just before his premature death.

This 'late' work is the product of a prodigiously talented composer in his mid-30s. Baroque craftsmanship and the ability to fuse national styles are at a premium: the poise and allure of Lully, the dash and ebullience of Corelli, and the contrapuntal invention of Buxtehude are fused with flair and acumen, and couched in an effervescent Englishness that is unmistakeably Purcellian. . .King has provided an edition that is a model of clarity and sound editorial practice, together with an organ part that is a credible and wholly manageable orchestral reduction.