Matching skilfully contrived music with topical and often scabrous texts, Purcell’s Catches offer vivid glimpses of 17th-century life which also appeal to a more modern sense of humour. Reissued to celebrate thetercentenary of the composer’s death, this complete collection is edited by Michael Nyman, who provides an extensive preface that tells the history of the genre.

For 3-part and 4-part mixed voices.