Essential Purcell

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0034571100159 Label: Hyperion Manufacturer: Hyperion Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Hyperion Release Date: 1994-10-01 Running Time: 79 Studio: Hyperion
Related Items Purcell: Dido and Aeneas The World of Henry Purcell Purcell - Music for Queen Mary Essential Handel Purcell - Songs and Arias
Editorial Reviews: The "Essential" Purcell? Well, you could get a bunch of critics to argue about that for a few days, but in the meantime, here is a sampler of highlights from the King's Consort's three admirable Purcell series: the Complete Odes and Welcome Songs, Complete Anthems and Services, and Complete Secular Solo Songs. There are, of course, some of Purcell's most-performed pieces (which probably are "essential"): Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, "Sound the trumpet" from Come, ye sons of Art, Rejoice in the Lord always (the "Bell Anthem," named for the string figure at the opening that sounds like pealing bells), the gently patriotic "Fairest isle, all isles excelling" (sung by a miscast James Bowman), and a selection from the funeral music for Queen Mary. There are also some delightful surprises--particularly among the little-known secular songs and church music. The plaintive "O fair Cedaria" gets a lovely performance by Barbara Bonney (a singer not usually associated with Purcell); tenor Rogers Covey-Crump (possibly the ideal high tenor for Purcell) sings the enchanting "If music be the food of love"; the church anthems "Let mine eyes run down with tears" and "Remember not, O Lord, our offences" have some startling harmonies as daring as any Monteverdi ever wrote. If you're unfamiliar with Purcell, this reasonably priced disc is a good place to start exploring without a big initial investment. --Matthew Westphal
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Wonderful, moving and faultless performances. Comment: This is very enjoyable, and Dido's 'When I am laid in the cold ground' is especially moving, especially at this time of year! (England in a damp November!) Customer Rating: Summary: Can't be faulted Comment: Very rarely does a disc come along which hits all the spots: excellent recording quality, perfect pacing, superb track listing and top class performance. This is one of those discs. It even gets ten out of ten for price: this is one of those budget-priced "sampler" cd's, which, although all the tracks are full-length and unedited, it is geared towards selling the many other releases of Purcell by Robert King. However don't let this put you off: the running order has been compiled with due care and attention. This album stands up as a classic in its own right. Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent Purcell Disc Comment: With this album director and Purcell expert Robert King provides the listener with an excellent introduction to the composer's vocal works. The pieces presented here were taken from Mr. King's recordings of 'The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs', 'The Complete Anthems and Services', 'The Complete Secular Solo Songs' and diverse anthology discs. King, his wonderful soloists and musicians do the brilliance of Purcell's music fully justice. Whether he was commissioned by royalty, the church or theatre, Purcell shone in all areas. This disc definitely demonstrates the diversity of his art, not to speak of his uncanny ability of setting words to music. An outstanding Purcell offering. With a beautiful perfomance by Barbara Bonney of 'Oh, fair Cedaria'. Susan Gritton is equally captivating in 'She loves and she confesses too'. Gillian Fisher's rendition of the famous 'Dido's Lament' is haunting and poignant. Further an intelligent and brilliant 'Hosanna to the highest' by Michael George. James Bowman and Michael Chance sparkle in the countertenor duet 'Sound the trumpet' (from 'Come Ye sons of Art away'). And I should not forget to mention the joyous, luminous performance of the beautiful 'Bell Anthem'. To name but a few favourites, only James Bowman's 'Fairest Isle' was a disappointment. Those who are familiar with Purcell's music will get an excellent disc with some of his most beloved works. If you are new to Purcell, this is, as already said a great introduction. Which might be the incentive to further explorations of Purcell. by stardustraven More Reviews