Delve into the world of 17th-century England, with music written for kings and nobles during the tumult of the Civil War, and tunes which reverberated in town houses and taverns throughout the country.

In their new album for ABC Classics, Australian Baroque trio Latitude 37, performing on instruments that the composers themselves would have known, bring to life the music of the 17th-century English Civil War - including the world-premiere recording of a lost work. The album also features a selection of guest artists hand-picked from Australia’s finest musicians.

At the heart of the album stands music by composers intimately involved with the royal court, at a time when its very existence was challenged like never before. William Lawes (1602-1645), who composed for King Charles I for most of his life, was dubbed ‘Father of music’ by the king after he was killed whilst fighting for the royalist cause. Henry Purcell (1659-1695) - the finest English composer of his generation, with a number of positions at court - is represented here by the exquisitely beautiful lament ‘Let Me Weep’, sung by rising star soprano Alexandra Oomens, and a masterful instrumental Fantasia.

Track Listing:

1-6. WILLIAM LAWES Royall Consort - Sett No. 2

1. ANONYMOUS / LATITUDE 37 Divisions on ‘Woodycock’

8-9. CHRISTOPHER SIMPSON The Little Consort: Suite No. 1 (excerpts)

1. ANONYMOUS / LATITUDE 37 Greensleeves: Song and Divisions

2. ANONYMOUS / LATITUDE 37 Divisions on ‘Paul’s Steeple’

12-13. WILLIAM BYRD Pavan and Galliard: Sir William Petre

1. HENRY PURCELL Fantasia in Three Parts, Z733

2. HENRY PURCELL The Plaint (‘Let Me Weep’) from The Fairy Queen

3. DAVIS MELL / LATITUDE 37 Divisions on ‘John Come Kiss Me Now’

17-19. CHRISTOPHER GIBBONS Fantasia-Suite No. 2 WORLD-PREMIERE RECORDING

1. WILLIAM CORKINE Walsingham

21-23. JOHN JENKINS Fantasia-Suite, for violin, bass viol and organ

1. JACOB VAN EYCK / LATITUDE 37 Divisions on ‘Daphne’