Few painters are as enigmatic as Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675). His works command admiration for their meticulous observation and the sensitive rendering of light and colour. But beneath the perfection of form the artist’s meaning remains obscure, his figures eternally serene and passive, their thoughts a mystery. On this CD, the world of Vermeer is given a musical perspective with a carefully chosen selection of pieces by the finest composers of his time. Inside, Hugh Griffith provides explanatory notes on his life and musical environment.