There are three mysteries about this piece by Purcell originally scored for Viols. When it was written for what purpose it was written and why the eccentric title ‘Chacony’ rather than the French ‘chaconne’ are questions whoseanswers are all shrouded in the mists of time. The suggested dates of early 1680’s and as a piece of light music for some sort of theatrical performance almost answer two of the three questions. The Chacony is scored here forString quartet but could be played by a larger ensemble.

The Last Sleep of the Virgin was written for string quartet and handbells in 1991. It enacts the story of the falling asleep and burial by the Apostles of the Mother of Jesus. This work was commissioned for theChilingirian Quartet by the Cheltenham Festival The first performance was given by the Chilingirian Quartet with Kim Sargeant as part of the 1992 Cheltenham Festival.

This piece lasts about 12 minutes and it plays continuously although it is made up of 16 small movements. Throughout the four string players form a group: sometimes the clarinet is caught up with them but more often it is like a person pursuing an independent train of thought: sometimes talking to itself sometimes conversational sometimes singingThe starting point for my Quintet was Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities: like the book my piece is composed from many small contrasting ideas that are constantly transforming some coming to the fore as others recede. This quintet is dedicated to Hugh Sargent who commissioned it.

Set of parts for this piece written for two violins viola and handbells.This is a special item which is made to order. Please e-mail our Mail Order Department for further information.