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The Purcell Quartet is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been active since the early 1980s. The group is named after the famous English composer Henry Purcell, and it specializes in performing music from the Baroque and early Classical periods. The ensemble has gained a reputation for its historically informed performances, which aim to recreate the sound and style of the music as it would have been heard during the time it was composed. The Purcell Quartet was founded in 1983 by four musicians who shared a passion for early music: Catherine Mackintosh (violin), Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin), Richard Boothby (viola da gamba), and Robert Woolley (harpsichord). All four members had extensive experience performing with other early music ensembles, and they came together with the goal of creating a group that would focus on the music of the Baroque and early Classical periods. The ensemble's founding members were all highly respected musicians in their own right. Catherine Mackintosh had previously been a member of the Academy of Ancient Music and the English Concert, and she had also performed as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras. Elizabeth Wallfisch was also a former member of the Academy of Ancient Music, and she had gained a reputation as one of the world's leading Baroque violinists. Richard Boothby was a specialist in the viola da gamba, an instrument that was popular during the Baroque period, and he had performed with many of the leading early music ensembles in Europe. Robert Woolley was a highly regarded harpsichordist who had performed with the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The Purcell Quartet quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and its commitment to historically informed playing. The ensemble's members were all experts in the music of the Baroque and early Classical periods, and they used their knowledge to create performances that were faithful to the original intentions of the composers. The group's repertoire included works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Purcell, and Vivaldi, and they performed on period instruments that were similar to those that would have been used during the time the music was composed. Over the years, the Purcell Quartet has performed at many of the world's leading concert halls and music festivals. The ensemble has also recorded extensively, with over 50 albums to its name. Some of the group's most notable performances include a series of concerts at the Wigmore Hall in London, a performance at the BBC Proms, and a tour of Japan. The ensemble has also collaborated with many other musicians and ensembles, including the soprano Emma Kirkby, the viol player Jordi Savall, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The Purcell Quartet has received many awards and accolades over the years. In 1995, the ensemble was awarded the Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Instrumental Recording for its album of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. The group has also been nominated for several other Gramophone Awards, as well as for a Classical Brit Award. In addition, the ensemble has been praised by critics for its performances, with many reviewers noting the group's technical skill and musical sensitivity. Despite its success, the Purcell Quartet has undergone some changes over the years.

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