Purcell: The Fairy Queen (Abridged); Dido & Aeneas

On this CD:

1. The Fairy Queen, semi-opera, Z. 629 Symphony
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

2. Fill up the bowl (from "The Fairy Queen), trio for 2 sopranos & bass with chorus, Z. 629/5b
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

3. Come all ye songsters of the sky (from "The Fairy Queen"), aria, Z. 629/7
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

4. May the god of wit inspire (from "The Fairy Queen"), trio for alto, tenor, & bass, Z. 629/8ab
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

5. See even Night herself is here (from "The Fairy Queen"), soprano aria, Z. 629/11
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

6. I am come to lock all fast (from "The Fairy Queen"), soprano aria, Z. 629/12
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

7. Hush, no more, be silent all (from "The Fairy Queen"), bass aria & chorus, Z. 629/14
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

8. The Fairy Queen, semi-opera, Z. 629 Overture
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

9. If love's a sweet passion (from "The Fairy Queen"), aria for soprano with chorus, Z. 629/17b, c
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

10. Now the maids and the men (from "The Fairy Queen"), dialogue aria for alto and bass, Z. 629/22
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

11. A thousand thousand ways we'll find (from "The Fairy Queen"), aria & chorus, Z. 629/25
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

12. The Fairy Queen, semi-opera, Z. 629 Symphony
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

13. Now the night is chas'd away (from "The Fairy Queen"), soprano aria with chorus, Z. 629/28
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

14. When a cruel long winter (from "The Fairy Queen"), tenor aria, Z. 629/31
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

15. Thus the ever grateful spring (from "The Fairy Queen"), soprano aria, Z. 629/33
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

16. O let me weep ("The Plaint" from "The Fairy Queen"), aria, Z. 629/40
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

17. Dance for the Chinese Man and Woman: Chaconne (from "The Fairy Queen"), Z. 629/51
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

18. Hymen, appear! (from "The Fairy Queen"), duet for 2 sopranos, Z. 629/49b
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

19. They shall be as happy (from "The Fairy Queen"), trio for 2 sopranos & bass, Z. 629/50ef
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Paul Esswood, Ian Partridge, Benita Valente
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

20. Dido and Aeneas, opera, Z. 626
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Rosina Cavicchioli, Oralia Dominguez, Helen Donath, Carlo Gaifa, Dan Jordacescu, Carmen Lavani, Margaret Lensky, Shirley Verrett
Conducted by Raymond Leppard

Tracks:

Scenes Form Childhood: Foreign Lands And People
Scenes Form Childhood: Dreaming
Scenes Form Childhood: Child Falling Asleep
Dream Of Children: Andante
Dream Of Children: Allegretto Piacevole
Sicilienne
Study No. 5: Moderato
The Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy - Tchaikovsky
Notebooks Of Anna Magdalena Bach: Minuets 4 and 5
The Indian Queen: Adagio
Album Leaves: Lullaby
Album Leaves: Cradlesong
Prelude In C Major - Bach
The Carnival Of Animals: The Swan
Gymnopedie I
Gymnopedie III
Album for the Young: Morning Prayer - Tchaikovsky
Album for the Young: My Dear Little Mother - Tchaikovsky
Album for the Young: Sweet Reveries - Tchaikovsky
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Nocturne No. 7 - Mendelssohn
Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Piano Concerto No. 26 In D Major: Larghetto
Melody
Lullaby

Amazon.com

I think this music is intended for adults, though the photo on the cover is of a sleeping baby. In any event, Schumann's work, Scenes From Childhood, Op. 15, featured here is more likely to bolt you out of bed than put you to sleep, as the mike is far too close to the piano being played by Cyprien Katsaris. Purcell's Adagio from The Indian Queen is magnificent, performed by John Elliott Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists. The Weird Award goes to triple harpist Tim Hobrough and lutenist Stephen Barber for their bizarre, spiky rendition of Minuets Nos. 4 and 5 from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach. I would like to meet Bill Holland, producer of all these Atlantic Records classical compilations. He's programmed Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1 on three different CDs, billed alternately as sensuous, romantic, and now here: good for a long snooze. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

What is all the hype about?.......2007-07-09

I purchased this CD on the basis of the reviews written on Amazon. I have to say I am terribly disappointed. My son hates the CD, I listened to it and I am not all that impressed either. It is ok but nothing like described by other users.

great cd.......2007-06-26

We play this cd every night at bedtime. It not only helps my baby stay asleep, but helps me fall asleep. The only issue I have is that one of the tracks near the end of the cd is a little louder than the tracks before it, so I just make sure I keep it on very quiet and it's wonderful.

My girls listen to this every night.......2006-11-10

My girls (ages 3 & 5) have a hard time winding down at night. We have a regular bedtime routine (bath, snack, teeth brushing, books, hugs), but they still take forever to settle down and sleep. Adding this CD to the bedtime routine has really helped.

I would give it more than 5 stars...........2005-11-18

I had this CD when my daughter was born 5 years ago, and it gave us such a soothing environment in which to bond during quiet times. We also put it on shortly before we'd put her down to sleep, and by 6 weeks she was sleeping through the night in her own crib. I think it was her sanctuary, and the music helped her feel comforted. We've since then completely worn out the CD (she listened to it through her 3rd year), and will have to buy a new one for our next little addition (coming soon!). I found it on this site and just listened to the samples from each track. Aahhh... very soothing for Mommy, too!
I also plan to get it as a baby gift for a friend. :)

Great CD: soothing music by best performers. Worth every penny........2005-08-05

I listened to this CD countless times ever since I first bought it from BMG music service back in 1997. Compositions of this CD are popular classical hits. That is, you will likely recognize at least some of them if you listen to the sampler.

What sets this CD apart is supreme music performance. Every composition is performed flawlessly, with real feeling and passion. There is a good reason why this CD that was released in 1997 is still around and costs over ten dollars. This reason is called quality.

Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll

Average customer rating:

Nice Collection
PERFECT!
Great singing and excellent value for money
More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'

Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll
Henry Purcell , Nancy Argenta , and Nigel North
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Essential Purcell
Purcell: The Fairy Queen
Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort
English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals
Gabrieli · Monteverdi · Vivaldi - Venetian Church Music / Taverner Consort, Choir & Players · Andrew Parrott

ASIN: B000059LOH
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Ah! How Sweet It Is To Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Not All My Torments - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
Stripp'd Of Their Green - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Tell Me, Some Pitying Angel - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
If Music Be The Food Of Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Hark! Hark! The Echoing Air - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
The Fatal Hour Comes On Apace - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Incassum, Lesbia - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
Sweeter Than Roses - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
Cupid, The Slyest Rogue Alive - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
From Silent Shades - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Dear Pretty Youth - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
From Rosy Bow'rs - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Now That The Sun Hath Veil'd His Light - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
Beneath A Poplar's Shadow - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
Let Us Dance - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Fairest Isle - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby

Tracks:

Nymphs And Shepherds - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Amidst The Shades And Cool Refreshing Streams - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Love In Their Little Veins Inspires - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/Nigel North
Fly Swift, Ye Hours - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
They Tell Us That Your Mighty Powers - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
The Plaint: O Let Me Weep - Nancy Argenta/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
In The Black, Dismal Dungeon Of Despair - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
See, Even Night Herself Is Here - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones
Why Should Men Quarrel? - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/John Toll
Seek Not To Know - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Sophia McKenna/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Retir'd From Mortals' Sight - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
To Arms, Heoric Prince - Nancy Argenta/Mark Bennett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
O Lead Me To Some Peaceful Gloom - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Halcyon Days - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Bid The Virtues - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Lord, What Is Man? (A Divine Hymn) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Music For A While - Nancy Argenta/John Toll
If Music Be The Food Of Love (1st Setting) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/John Toll
Sawney Is A Bonny Lad (A Scotch Song) - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
When I Have Often Heard Young Maids Complaining - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Ah! Cruel, Bloody Fate - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
Thy Hand, Belinda... When I Am Laid In Earth - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North

Customer Reviews:

Nice Collection.......2007-03-05

I have many collections of Purcell's Music. This collection stands up to them at half the price. Solid buy.

PERFECT!.......2006-10-26

There is only a word with which I can describe this set of discs: perfect!
The only flaw there is, is not related to the singing or playing: no text enclosed.

Great singing and excellent value for money.......2004-09-19

This is probably one of the best anthologies of Purcell songs around, and not just because it's two-for-one pricing means it contains twice as much music (CD1:74'24" & CD2: 77'41")! Nancy Argenta has an irrepressible sense of style and crystal clear diction. But unlike Emma Kirby, whose vocal purity can become tiresome, these renditions radiate warmth. She is also, I have found, more consistently involving than any one of the singers in Hyperion's three disc survey of Complete Secular Songs (recently reissued as a single set). One marvels at how she judiciously balances restraint and emotional forthrightness. The accompaniments (archlute, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and organ) are well judged and blend with the voice, all helped by an excellently defined recording acoustic. This is an absolute winner at any price!

More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'.......2001-08-02

Two CDs, totaling more than 150 minutes of sparsely-arranged (never more than 3-5 instruments at a time), sweetly-sung, 350 year old 'ayres' (a typically English form of secular music). Nancy Argenta's soprano voice is lovely, silvery indeed as her name implies. The instruments are a discreet but friendly accompaniment to her solo voice. Perhaps the instruments are a little too discreet -- there are times when I wish they were a touch more prominent. But that is a very, very minor complaint. A beautiful collection, and quite well worth the money.

Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ

Average customer rating:

Good Wedding Music
Ceremonoal marches for trumpet and symphonic organ
A ceremony in sound
inspiring
A good wedding planner, but...

Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Music for Organ, Brass & Percussion
Baroque Music for Brass and Organ
An Organ Blaster Sampler
Organ Spectacular
Great Toccatas

ASIN: B000003CZG
Release Date: 1993-04-27

Tracks:

Te Deum
March & Gigue
Trumpet Tune In D Major
Rondeau
Sicilienne
La Rejouissance
Fantasia On Greensleeves
Ave Maria
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Sheep May Safely Graze
If Love's A Sweet Passion
Ave Maria
Trumpet Tune In D Major
Rigadon & Passapied
Toccata
The Prayer Of St Gregory
Wedding March

Customer Reviews:

Good Wedding Music.......2007-01-02

I was looking for ideas for music for my wedding last year and found this cd to be really helpful. If your looking for ideas and inspiration for marches and other tunes associated with wedding ceremonies look no further.

Ceremonoal marches for trumpet and symphonic organ.......2006-11-05

It is an excellent recording especially the 12 marches by Telemann.

A ceremony in sound.......2005-10-18

This is a beautifully performed CD of ceremonial music of the Christian tradition. While organist Michael Murray talks about the diversity of kinds of ceremonial music in the liner notes essay, the musical selection here is drawn from the Western Christian tradition with few exceptions.

Sometimes the music did not start out as ceremonial in nature - Murray points out that the 'Incidental Music for A Midsummer Night's Dream' is now considered traditional wedding-march music, whereas at one time it considered completely inappropriate.

Music is drawn from the past four hundred years - works of well-known composers such as Purcell, Handel, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Bach are collected here, together with lesser-known composers such as Paradis, Mouret, Charpentier, Clarke and Martini, famous and respected in their day, but less known as personalities now (although their music will undoubtedly sound very familiar to the listener with any exposure to Western music). The CD also includes a few pieces from modern composers such as the French Charles Gounod, the British Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the American Alan Hovhaness.

Organist Michael Murray and trumpeter Rolf Smedvig make a dynamic duo in this celebratory music. Murray plays the symphonic organ from the First United Methodist Church of Cleveland (I've been in that church for a concert, and it is grand indeed). Smedvig is a Grammy nominee for his work with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, serving on the faculty of Boston University and Tanglewood. Murray has had a worldwide career of recitals, being a frequent guest of orchestras, and often sought to inaugurate grand organs upon their installation.

This is a grand disc, a ceremony in sound, and a wonderful piece to have in one's collection.

inspiring.......2000-06-21

This disc contains a nice selection of music appropriate for weddings and other liturgical occasions. Smedvig and Murray achieve a fine balance with a rich, full sound that is clear and warm, never harsh. Smedvig's trumpet playing demonstrates a wide range of timbres and styles: bright and energetic in the Mouret "Rondeau," glorious and majestic in Clarke's "Trumpet Voluntary," expressive and lyrical in the Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria," subdued and reverent in Hovhaness's "Prayer to St. Gregory." (He also has astounding breath control and trills that are to die for.) The only less-than-successful cut, I think, is the Mendelssohn "Wedding March," played at a plodding tempo, with the trumpet in such a low range that its brightness is muffled. Overall the disc is awe-inspiring and uplifting; I learn something every time I listen to it!

A good wedding planner, but..........2000-06-11

This album has its positive and negative aspects. The idea of an album containing some of the most oft-used music in weddings and other such ceremonies is a great idea and no doubt will be helpful to those planning their weddings. Mr. Murray's playing is outstanding. Mr. Smedvig is also an excellent player, but his interpretations have their drawbacks. Smedvig adds too many ornaments (extra notes) to the main melody lines. It reminds me of trumpet players I knew in high school who would add so many ornaments to music of this sort that the main melody line would become lost. That happens here - the large number of ornaments are detrimental to hearing what are of themselves beautiful musical lines. Moreover, it causes tempo discrepancies. The Mouret speeds up and slows down several times. The finest recording of the Mouret still has to belong to Gerard Schwarz, and it's a true shame that Schwarz didn't do more recording. If you want an album with a great deal of traditional wedding fare to help select music for a wedding trumpeter, this is a practical CD. For the music itself, better can be obtained.

Angels Hide Their Faces: Dawn Upshaw Sings Bach and Purcell

Average customer rating:

Beautiful, fervent Bach, but the Purcell songs are a bit prettified
Now that the Sun hath veil'd his light.....
Picky reviewers
hark ! how well the lady sings

Angels Hide Their Faces: Dawn Upshaw Sings Bach and Purcell

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Voices of Light
Forgotten Songs: Dawn Upshaw Sings Debussy
I Wish It So
Dawn Upshaw Sings Rodgers & Hart
Girl with Orange Lips

ASIN: B000059LXH
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Tracks:

Music For A While - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas
I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas
Ah! How Sweet It Is To Love - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas
Lord, What Is Man - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas
Hark! How All Things - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Recitativo - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Aria - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Recitativo - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Aria - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Recitativo - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Chorale - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Recitativo - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
Cantata BWV 199: Mein Herze Schwimmt Im Blut: Aria - Dawn Upshaw/Krista Bennion Feeney/Linda Quan/Lois Martin/Myron Lutzke/John Feeney/Peggy Pearson...
If Music Be The Food Of Love - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas
The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas
An Evening Hymn - Dawn Upshaw/Myron Lutzke/Arthur Haas

Amazon.com

Soprano Dawn Upshaw's programs are always interesting, and this one's a beauty: one of Bach's most heartfelt cantatas flanked by songs and arias of Purcell. For the most part, she's in excellent voice, but with the tics that make some demur from enthusiasm: occasional swooping, thinning of the voice in the upper regions, lapses into a "Broadway" type of vocalism, and diction problems. The latter, oddly enough, are as present in Purcell's English as in Bach's German, as in the way Upshaw lands heavily on the r with a broad American accent rather than the lightly rolled r we're used to in performances of period English music. There's also some broad word-painting in the Bach, whose text, charting the soul's journey from sin to redemption, really needs no extra emoting. That said, Upshaw's fans will love this disc, and even those who prefer a different approach will enjoy it. Accompaniments are excellent: a continuo team in the Purcell, a small chamber group in the Bach. Outstanding sonics, too. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, fervent Bach, but the Purcell songs are a bit prettified.......2006-08-24

Amazon's reviewer seems to have zoned out on how Dawn Upshaw pronounces words, missing most of the musical value here. Her singing of the Bach cantata, 'Mein Herze schwimmt in Blut,' is very moving. She is deeply involved, and her voice extracts the deep reverence and religious passion that makes this music so great. I'm not as convinced by the Purcell songs, however. Upshaw has chosen some of the most famous, and set against great singers like Battle, Baker, and Ferrier, her rendiitons seem a little shallow and prettified. She's considerably more tuned in to Bach, which is good enough to make this a memorable CD, if not her very best. Things would be much improved if the conducting by the (totally uncredited) conductor weren't so limp.

Now that the Sun hath veil'd his light............2001-08-04

Some say angels are God's messangers. When angels communicate, surely they sound like Dawn Upshaw. Upshaw's beautiful soprano voice rises to the stars and floats back again as she sings the beautiful collection of arias and cantatas by Purcell and Bach contained in ANGELS HIDE THEIR FACES.

Shaw's interpretation of Purcell's 'How sweet it is to love' reminds me of the elation I first felt on realizing love exists. 'Lord what is a man' brings one back to earth with a lamentation about human frailty and the finiteness of human existence. "Rejoice, rejoice" sings the angel in 'Hark! How all things' with lyrics from 'The Fairy Queen' -- a text by E. Settle after Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'

Bach's cantatas fill the air as Upshaw sings arias in German (interpretations are provided in the text accompanying the CD). J.S. Bach's songs are clearly and beautifully articulated by Upshaw while in the backgound various wind and string instruments accompany her vocalizations. Many of Upshaw's vocalizations by Bach in German as well as the instrumentation (including viol consort) remind me of the arias from 'The Messiah' -- majestic albeit on a very human scale. For example, Aria #9 by Bach is comparable to "He shall lead his flock.." (although the latter was written for an alto voice).

The music in English by Purcell is a bit lighter. My favorite piece is 'An evening hymn' by Purcell which I would expect to hear near dusk in an English chapel. However, ANGELS HIDE THEIR FACES contains music you can play year round at any time of day.

Picky reviewers.......2001-05-31

I've got a degree in musicology ( and am fluent in German as well), and for a while after total immersion in graduate school, found my listening enjoyment frustrated by the same pickiness that hampers your reviewer. Fortunately, that passed, and I'm now able to simply appreciate Dawn Upshaw's performance of the music we hear all too seldom. I hope that others will be able to participate in Upshaw's interpretation of the poetry behind the music, to think about the theological role of angels (not just pretty faces and feathery wings), to love this wonderful recording. We are indeed blessed that technology allows us to experience such music, such an artist.

hark ! how well the lady sings.......2001-05-31

This is one of those little gems that becomes more appealing with each hearing. The Purcell pieces are sweet and lovely, but the Bach ! This Cantata is the glory of this CD. It's verses are of the deepest sorrow and repentance, woeful utterances for God's forgiveness, until the final aria, "How joyful is my heart since God is appeased". Dawn Upshaw's interpretation is beautiful. She captures the emotion, the longing, the spirituality and heart of the piece.

Tracks:

First Music: Prelude - David Wilson-Johnson
First Music: Hornpipe - David Wilson-Johnson
Second Music: Air - David Wilson-Johnson
Second Music: Rondeau - David Wilson-Johnson
Overture - David Wilson-Johnson
Act One: Song In Two Parts: Come, Let Us Leave The Town - Richard Wistreich
Act One: Scene Of The Drunken Poet - David Wilson-Johnson
Act One: First Act Tune: Jig - Roger Norrington
Act Two: Song: Come All Ye Songsters - Howard Crook
Act Two: Prelude - Roger Norrington
Act Two: Trio: May The God Of Wit Inspire - David Wilson-Johnson
Act Two: Echo - Howard Crook
Act Two: Chorus: Now Joyn Your Warbling Voices - Schutz Choir Of London
Act Two: Song And Chorus: Sing While We Trip It - Schutz Choir Of London
Act Two: Song: See, Even Night Herself Is Here - Susan Bickley
Act Two: Song: I Am Come To Lock All Fast - Lorraine Hunt
Act Two: Song: One Charming Night - Mark Padmore
Act Two: Song And Chorus: Hush, No More - Schutz Choir Of London
Act Two: Dance For The Followers Of Night - Roger Norrington
Act Two: Second Act Tune: Air - Roger Norrington
Act Three: Song In Two Parts And Chorus: If Love's A Sweet Passion - Schutz Choir Of London
Act Three: Overture: Symphony While The Swans Come Forward - Roger Norrington
Act Three: Dance For The Fairies - Roger Norrington
Act Three: Dance For The Green Men - Roger Norrington
Act Three: Song: Ye Gentle Spirits Of The Air - Lorraine Hunt
Act Three: Dialogue Between Coridon And Mopsa - Mark Padmore
Act Three: Dance For The Haymakers - Roger Norrington
Act Three: Song: When I Have Often Heard - Catherine Pierard
Act Three: Song And Chorus: A Thousand, Thousand Ways - Howard Crook
Act Three: Third Act Tune: Hornpipe - Roger Norrington

Tracks:

Act Four: Symphony - Roger Norrington
Act Four: Solo And Chorus: Now The Night - Catherine Pierard
Act Four: Duet: Let The Fifes, And The Clarions - Howard Crook
Act Four: Entry Of Phoebus - Roger Norrington
Act Four: Song: When A Cruel Long Winter - Mark Padmore
Act Four: Chorus: Hail! Great Parent - Schutz Choir Of London
Act Four: Song: Thus The Ever Grateful Spring - Lorraine Hunt
Act Four: Song: Here's The Summer - Howard Crook
Act Four: Song: See, See My Many Colour'd Fields - Mark Padmore
Act Four: Song: Now Winter Comes Slowly - David Wilson-Johnson
Act Four: Chorus: Hail! Great Parent - Schutz Choir Of London
Act Four: Fourth Tune Act: Air - Roger Norrington
Act Five: Prelude - Roger Norrington
Act Five: Epithalamium: Thrice Happy Lovers - Susan Bickley
Act Five: Song: The Plaint - O Let Me Weep - Lorraine Hunt
Act Five: Entry Dance - Roger Norrington
Act Five: Symphony Dance - Roger Norrington
Act Five: Song: Thus The Gloomy world - Mark Padmore
Act Five: Solo And Chorus: Thus Happy And Free - Catherine Pierard
Act Five: Song: Yes, Daphne - Howard Crook
Act Five: Monkey's Dance - Roger Norrington
Act Five: Song: Hark, How All Things - Susan Bickley
Act Five: Song And Chorus: Hark, How The Echoing Air - Lorraine Hunt
Act Five: Solos And Chorus: Sure The Dull God - Susan Bickley
Act Five: Prelude - Roger Norrington
Act Five: Solo: See, See, I Obey - David Wilson-Johnson
Act Five: Duet: Turn Then Thine Eyes - Susan Bickley
Act Five: Solo: My Torch, Indeed - David Wilson-Johnson
Act Five: Trio And Chorus: They Shall Be As Happy - David Wilson-Johnson
Act Five: Chaconne: Dance For Chinese Man And Woman - Roger Norrington

Amazon.com

Purcell worked immensely hard on his score for The Fairy Queen, but the original was lost. The version on which this performance is based arrived at London's Royal Academy of Music by devious routes a century and a half later. But in Roger Norrington's hands, it emerges in its pristine beauty: you could not wish for a better introduction to Purcell's greatest stage work. Only a "semi-opera," maybe, but one studded with exquisite songs and majestic choruses. The anonymous libretto is loosely based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, but its inexhaustible melodic invention is imbued with Shakespearean magic. Some songs have become concert favorites, notably "O let me weep," but the joy of this double CD is that you discover dozens more, and of comparable quality. Purcell's music breathes in perfect tandem with the words and Norrington creates out of this a riveting symbiosis. The singing is pure Baroque-instrumental clarity of tone, unsullied by any vibrato, and the playing is immaculate. Comedy and pathos are both here in spades; vast space is evoked through the pairing of flutes and the echoing of trumpets. And so are all the colors of nature: Purcell's music foreshadows Vivaldi. --Michael Church

Customer Reviews:

Interesting and Lovely Music.......2004-02-06

This 'semi-opera' is one of the last works of Henry Purcell, the greatest English Baroque composer. Essentially a series of scenes with linking music, The Fairy Queen, like other semi-operas, lacks the integrity of plot and action of real opera. In performance, I suspect this work would be somewhat static, sort of a serious music variety show. The music, however, is lovely. The Fairy Queen contains some of Purcell's best vocal and instrumental work with some components that became part of the concert repertoire. Hearing all the music together is a fine experience, though the semi-opera format tends to work against the dramatic and musical cohesion which can be found in even merely good operas. The vocalists are splendid, particularly Lorraine (as she was then spelling her name) Hunt. The orchestral playing is just as good.

If you like Monteverdi, you will love Purcell.......2002-08-21

Absolutely beautifull baroque opera! The arrangament, singing and instrumentation is superb. If you liked Monteverdi's Coronation of Poppea, it is a must to have this baroque masterpiece! It is too bad that Henry Purcell is not as widely known as Bach, because he should be recognized equally well.

Average customer rating:

A Great British collection
If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent

Rule Britannia

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rule Britannia and Other Music from Last Night of the Proms
Royal Salute
Music from the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Marches-1/British
Regimental Marches of British Army, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00004W3JI
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

The Island Princess: Tpt Aire/Sym Of Flatt Trumpits
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: I. Ov
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: II. Gigue (Allegro)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: III. Aire (Menuetto)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: IV. March I (Bouree) - March II
The Choice Of Hercules: I. Ov (Largo-Allegro)
The Choice Of Hercules: II. March
Europe Revells In Ye Peace: Sym
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): I. Prld: The Duke Of Gloster's March; Minuet & Sybelle...
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): II. Ser & Ecossaise
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): III. Bourre & Hornpipe
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): IV. Gigue
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): V. Rondeau: The Prince Of Denmark's March (Tpt Voluntary)
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: I. Intro - Canzona
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: II. Adagio
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: III. Battle (Allegro) - Pastoral - Battle
The Indian Queen: Tpt Ov To Act II
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: I. Allegro
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: II. Largo
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: III. Giga: Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: I. Adagio - Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: II. Andante
The Judgment Of Paris: Recitative: Awake, Awake, Thy Spirits Raise; Aire: Hark, Hark, The Glorius...
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): I. Sym (Largo - Allegro)
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): II. Adagio
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): III. Ritornello - Chor
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: I. March
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: II. Canzona
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: III. March (Reprise)
Alfred: 'Rule Britannia'

Tracks:

Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.1 in D, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.2 in a, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.3 in c, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.4 in G, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.5 in C, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
The Pirates Of Penzance: Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
HMS Pinafore - Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
Ste: The Planets, Op.32: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity - Philharmonia Orch/William Boughton
Te Deum - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington
Vars On An Original Theme, Enigma, Op.36: IX. Nimrod - English SO/William Boughton
The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington

Customer Reviews:

A Great British collection.......2005-10-05

This CD features several particular composers who have written pieces of music that are quintessentially British: Jeremiah Clarke, George Frideric Handel, John Stanley, John Eccles, Henry Purcell, William Corbett, Edward Elgar, Arthur Sullivan, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst and Thomas Arne. The pieces here are triumphant, celebrating that particular period of Empire when the British ruled vastly such that the sun never set upon it - one of the key elements of such triumphant music-making, particularly for the time, was the use of brass and trumpet. Some of the later composers included here draw on inspirations from these earlier times.

One of the featured performers on this collection is John Wallace, who was principal trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra since the 1970s; he founded the brass ensemble, the Wallace Collection, ten years later in 1986. In 2002, he became principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Wallace Collection gave their last performance shortly thereafter. However, the Wallace Collection lives on in performances on CD such as this one, performed with William Boughton and the English String Orchestra. Other tracks are performed by Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Alexander Faris and the English String Orchestra conducted by Stephen Darlington.

Pieces here are very familiar to anyone with an interested in British national composition -- pieces such as the Water Music by Handel are very famous, as are Holst's 'Planets' and Sullivan's (of Gilbert & Sullivan) 'Pinafore'; other pieces, such as Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary', are similarly famous even if their composers did not achieve the 'brand recognition' that Handel did. All of the composers here came from the period spanning the late 1600s to the late 1700s, when music was as often written for music halls and public performances as it was for royal events and commissions.

The performances here are uniformly upbeat and well played, with little by way of blemish save the occasional drop and surge in levels (as often becomes the case when recording music with sharp brass elements).

One can envision theatres full of people waving Union Jacks while this plays, and many of the pieces have a quality about them that speaks directly to the time and place of Britain.

If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent.......2005-06-29

If you like Baroque music, buy this 2 CD's BOX SET; it is excellent. Clarke, Handel, Purcell, Corbet and so on are very well played. The orchestration is very good, the quality of recording is excellent. Remember that Baroque music uses mainly a single trumpet, few other brass instruments, some woodwinds and very few drums. It is very easy, elegant and pleasant to listen. When I got married in 2003, I have chosen only Baroque music for the ceremony and the banquet because Baroque music is so lovely, so delicate and so sweet. Even if you have never heard or you think that you have never heard Baroque music, buy this CD; I tell you, you will not regret your choice because it is really an excellent CD. You have my words.

Come, Gentle Night: Music of Shakespeare's World

Average customer rating:

Ensemble Galilei's music is lilting, elegant and unexpected!
beautiful
Excellent!
It will bring about many gentle nights
Visualizing Beauty

Come, Gentle Night: Music of Shakespeare's World

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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From The Isles To The Courts
Shakespeare Songs
Songs and Dances from Shakespeare
The Renaissance Album (Windham Hill)
Music In The Great Hall: Instrumental Music From The Ancient Celtic Lands

ASIN: B0000478S3
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Mister Issac's Maggot, Chestnut (Dove's Vagary)
Woodycock
Death's Second Self
Jack's Health, Vale Of Years, Jack's Health Reel
Come, Gentile Night
Departe, Departe, The Cobbler's Hornpipe, Third Act Tune
But Let Them Go, Ladies, Sight No More
In A Garden So Green, Childgrove
Fire, Burn, and Cauldron Bubble
The Asp
Rumble Thy Bellyful
Pastime With Good Company, O Lusty May
Irish Lament
Joy To THe Person Of My Love
The Winter's Tale Set: Love's Winter Light, Apples In Winter, Drive The Cold Winter Away, Jenny Pluck Pears
Lilli Burleo
The Scottich Play Set: Life Is But A Walking Shadow, Mill, Mill O', Pawky Adam Glen
Heart's Ease, Now That The Spring, Gathering Peascods
No Longer Mourn For Me

Customer Reviews:

Ensemble Galilei's music is lilting, elegant and unexpected!.......2002-11-29

With their soulful playing and artful, sometimes even ephemeral arrangements, the six women of Ensemble Galilei convey a rare depth of emotion. In the insert notes, gamba player Carolyn Ann Surrick describes their creative process: "[In making this recording, we engaged in]...a kind of work that is so focused and intense that years can go by in one afternoon... Extraordinary music-making requires trust... [We] live for the times when the only thing that exists right then is the music--when the instruments are speaking as if we don't exist, and they are having their own conversation." Thank you, Ensemble Galilei, for allowing the rest of us the privilege of coming along for the ride! It's simply delectable. This chamber ensemble, featuring fiddle, harp, gamba, oboe, pipes and percussion, can also be heard on their other Telarc release, "From the Isles to the Courts", and "The Mystic and the Muse: Celebrating 600 Years of Women in Music", on the Dorian label.

beautiful.......2001-01-22

Sheer beauty, as a lover of English music I found this to be one of the most beautiful of all Shakespearean albums. Such harmony, such subtlety, one wishes that the gentle night will never stop.

Excellent!.......2001-01-04

Ensemble Galilei provide some excellent arrangements of English renaissance compositions. I believe that John Playford (English Dancing Master) fans will be particularly satisfied with the renditions presented here. It is very unfortunate that E.G. did not provide more arrangements from such early music sources. Some of E.G.'s own compositions seem very weak and not in the renaissance spirit of the rest of the CD. Nonetheless, this CD is highly recommmended.

It will bring about many gentle nights.......2000-11-22

I found this album to be solid. Very sweet, but not afraid to use percussion which makes it livelier and more fun. I adore the quiet, peacefulness of the music and the flawless execution of these renaissance songs.

Visualizing Beauty.......2000-08-20

I recently had the good fortune to direct a performance of King Lear--the ENTIRE five acts, in a community theatre, non-profit setting. I used twenty-four fully committed non-actors, who for the love of the ideas, participated in this performance. The first and main challenge that I faced was, how do I go "behind" the words, and invoke the right emotions, etc., to give these actors the range and tools needed for an effective, powerful performance? Critical to this performance was the beauty and brilliance of this recording, which I used throughout the various scenes of the play. This helped the performers tremendously, creating the different tapestries in the mind of the Bard. In short, this work is real genius, that I was so happy that I stumbled across. I am now putting in our performance programs, along with our most heart-felt thanks to E.G., the name of the recording and I have copies from Telarc to sell at each performance!

Average customer rating:

a beautiful CD

Henry Purcell: Ayres for the Theatre

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Purcell: Ayres for the Theatre
Essential Purcell

ASIN: B000002ANU
Release Date: 1995-05-30

Tracks:

Dioclesian: Overture
Dioclesian: Preludio
Dioclesian: Song Tune: 'Let The Soldiers Rejoice'
Dioclesian: Trumpet Tune
Dioclesian: Country Dance
Dioclesian: Aire
Dioclesian: Hornpipe
Dioclesian: Aire
Dioclesian: Canaries
King Arthur: Overture
King Arthur: Aire
King Arthur: Aire
King Arthur: Song Tune: 'Fairest Isle'
King Arthur: Hornpipe
King Arthur: Aire
King Arthur: Song Tune: 'How Blest Are Shepherds'
King Arthur: Aire
King Arthur: Song Tune: 'Round Thy Coast'
King Arthur: Song Tune: 'Come, If You Dare'
King Arthur: Trumpet Tune
King Arthur: Trumpet Tune
King Arthur: Chacone
The Fairy Queen: Overture
The Fairy Queen: Hornpipe
The Fairy Queen: Aire
The Fairy Queen: Aire
The Fairy Queen: Rondeau
The Fairy Queen: Preludio
The Fairy Queen: Hornpipe
The Fairy Queen: Overture
The Fairy Queen: Song Tune: 'If Love's A Sweet Passion'
The Fairy Queen: Jigg
The Fairy Queen: Dance for Furies (Fairies)
The Fairy Queen: Aire 4 In 2 (Dance For The Followers Of Night)
The Fairy Queen: Song Tune: 'Sing While We Trip It'
The Fairy Queen: Aire
The Fairy Queen: Aire
The Fairy Queen: Song Tune: 'Thus Happy And Free'
The Fairy Queen: Chacone
The Fairy Queen: Aire
The Indian Queen: Overture
The Indian Queen: Trumpet Tune
The Indian Queen: Trumpet Tune
The Indian Queen: Aire
The Indian Queen: Hornpipe
The Indian Queen: Aire
The Indian Queen: Hornpipe
The Indian Queen: Aire
The Indian Queen: Song Tune: 'WeThe Spirits Of The Air'
The Indian Queen: Rondeau

Customer Reviews:

a beautiful CD.......2003-11-26

This CD has given me so much pleasure that it feels almost a duty to recommend it. This is exquisite music, subtly and sonorously played. Do buy it!

Baroque Guitar Quartets : The English Guitar Quartet

Average customer rating:

Baroque Guitar Quartets : The English Guitar Quartet

Manufacturer: Saydisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000004531
Release Date: 1994-04-20

Tracks:

Con Grosso Op.3 No.1: Allegro
Con Grosso Op.3 No.1: Lento
Con Grosso Op.3 No.1: Presto
Passacaglia And Fugue (BWV 582): Passacaglia
Passacaglia And Fugue (BWV 582): Fugue
Son Da Camera Op.2 No.6: Allemanda
Son Da Camera Op.2 No.6: Corrente
Son Da Camera Op.2 No.6: Giga
Son Da Chiesa Op.3 No.1: Grave
Son Da Chiesa Op.3 No.1: Allegro
Son Da Chiesa Op.3 No.1: Vivace
Son Da Chiesa Op.3 No.1: Allegro
The Fairy Queen, Ste No.1: Prld
The Fairy Queen, Ste No.1: Rondeau
The Fairy Queen, Ste No.1: Jig
The Fairy Queen, Ste No.1: Hornpipe
The Fairy Queen, Ste No.1: Dance For The Fairies
Con Tomo 104: Allegro
Con Tomo 104: Andante
Con Tomo 104: Allegro

Purcell: The Fairy Queen / Harrhy, Nelson, Priday, Smith, Thomas, Varcoe, Gardiner

Average customer rating:

Welcome to the Fairy World
Fabulous
As beautiful as a summer moon
I loved this music...

Purcell: The Fairy Queen / Harrhy, Nelson, Priday, Smith, Thomas, Varcoe, Gardiner
Henry Purcell , John Eliot Gardiner , Eiddwen Harrhy , Elisabeth Priday , English Baroque Soloists , Judith Nelson , Jennifer Smith , Timothy Penrose , Ashley Stafford , Wynford Evans , Martyn Hill , and David Thomas
Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Purcell: Dido & Aeneas; King Arthur; Dioclesian; Timon of Athens; 3 Odes
Purcell - King Arthur / Gens, McFadden, Piau, S. Waters, J. Best, Padmore, Paton, Salomaa, Les Arts Florissants, Christie
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx
Bach - Mass in B minor / Argenta, Nichols, Chance, Stafford, Milner, W. Evans, Gardiner
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures

ASIN: B0000057CU
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Fairy Queen: First Music: Prelude
The Fairy Queen: First Music: Hornpipe
The Fairy Queen: Second Music: Air
The Fairy Queen: Second Music: Rondeau
The Fairy Queen: Second Music: Overture
The Fairy Queen: Act I: Song In Two Parts: 'Come, Come, Come, Let Us Leave The Town'
The Fairy Queen: Act I: Scene Of The Drunken Poet: 'Fill Up The Bowl'
The Fairy Queen: Act I: First Act Tune: Jig
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Prelude And Song: 'Come All Ye Songsters Of The Sky'
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Prelude
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Trio: 'May The God Of Wit Inspire'
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Echo
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Chorus: 'Now Joyn Your Warbling Voices All'
The Fairy Queen: Act II: A Dance Of Fairies
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Song And Chorus: 'Sing While We Trip It On The Green'
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Song: 'See, Even Night Herself Is Here' (Night)
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Song: 'I Am Come To Lock All Fast' (Mystery)
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Song: 'One Charming Night' (Secresie)
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Song And Chorus: 'Hush, No More, Be Silent All' (Sleep)
The Fairy Queen: Act II: A Dance For The Followers Of Night
The Fairy Queen: Act II: Second Act Tune: Air
The Fairy Queen: Act III: A Song In Two Parts And Chorus: 'If Love's A Swet Passion'
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Overture: Symphony While The Swans Come Forward
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Dance For The Fairies
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Dance For The Green Men
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Song: 'Ye Gentle Spirits Of The Air, Appear'
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Dialogue Between Coridon and Mopsa: 'Now The MAids And The Men'
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Song: 'When I Have Often Heard' (A Nymph)
The Fairy Queen: Act III: A Dance Of Haymakers
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Song And Chorus: 'A Thousand Thousand Ways We'll Find'
The Fairy Queen: Act III: Third Act Tune: Hornpipe

Tracks:

The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Symphony
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Solo And Chorus: 'Now The Night Is Chac'd Away' (One Of The Attendants)
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Duet: 'Let The Fifes, And The Clarions' (Two Others)
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Entry Of Phoebus
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Song: 'When A Cruel Long Winter' (Phoebus)
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Song: 'Thus The Ever Grateful Spring' (Spring)
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Song: 'Here's The Summer, Sprightly, Gay' (Summer)
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Song: 'See My Many Colour'd Fields' (Autumn)
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Song And Chorus: 'Now Winter Comes Slowly' (Winter)
The Fairy Queen: Act IV: Fourth Act Tune: Air
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Prelude
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Epithalamium: 'Thrice Happy Lovers' (Juno)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: The Plaint: 'O Let Me Weep'
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Entry Dance
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Symphony
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Song: 'Thus The Gloomy World' (A Chinese Man)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Solo And Chorus: 'Thus Happy And Free' (Chinese Woman)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Song: 'Yes, Daphne, In Your Looks I Find' (Chinese Man)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Monkeys' Dance
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Song: 'Hark How All Things' (1st Woman)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Song And Chorus: 'Hark Now The Echoing Air' (2nd Woman)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Duet And Chorus: 'Sure The Dull God Of Marriage' (Both Women)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Prelude
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Solo: 'See, See, I Obey' (Hymen)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Duet: 'Turn Then Thine Eyes' (Both Women)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Solo: 'My Torch, Indeed' (Hymen)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Trio: 'They Shall Be As Happy' (Both Women, Hymen)
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Air
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Chorus: 'They Shall Be As Happy'
The Fairy Queen: Act V: Chaconne: Dance For Chinese Man And Woman

Amazon.com essential recording

This 1981 recording was the first period-instrument version of Purcell's most famous "semi-opera." This Restoration-era hybrid was a play with a complete (spoken) script plus numerous musical numbers for soloists, chorus, and pit orchestra. The Fairy Queen is based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, although you'd never know it from the music, which has (typically for the genre) no real connection to the plot. (Most of the songs and dances are masques performed for the entertainment of Titania, Oberon, or Hippolytus.) The advantage to this is that Purcell's score can be performed fairly well on its own. The Fairy Queen includes some of Purcell's best-loved comic scenes ("The Drunken Poet" and "Coridon and Mopsa") and songs ("Hark the echoing Air," "Ye gentle spirits," and "Hark how all things in one sound rejoice"--the last sung here by Jennifer Smith, sounding more beautiful than on any recording she's made since). Other highlights include the "Masque of the Four Seasons" and an allegory wherein Night, Mystery, Secrecy, and Sleep appear to sing Titania to her rest. Standouts from a solid cast include sweet-voiced, nimble soprano Judith Nelson and baritone Stephen Varcoe, whose solos as Winter and as Night are breathtaking. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Welcome to the Fairy World.......2007-03-23

This music is enchanting and captivating. Purcell's style in semi opera gives life to A Midsummer Night's Dream, captivating the listener with imagination of far off realms. One can only imagine that he was able to visit other realms himself, to have created this music. It is beautiful.

Henry Purcell is a composer that should be recognized more for his contribution

Fabulous.......2007-01-14

This contains some of the most sublime music ever written and the performances are tremendous. Highly recommended.

As beautiful as a summer moon.......2002-08-05

In this semi-opera, Henry Purcell brings the new English era after the Puritan Commonwealth to an ever more complete fullness. He goes back to Shakespeare to get his story and transforms it into a prodigy of beauty. He sure changes a few things. It is no longer the pure song of the beauty of love, but the clear hymn of the beauty of marriage. Hymen comes on to celebrate the victory of constant and faithful matrimony, based on love for sure, but not governed by it. The fairies and their queen are no longer pure sprites springing out from the woods and forests, but they lead us to a new garden of Eden, represented by the richness of a Chinese garden, the three weddings and the six spouses being represented by six vases containing six orangetrees, a full promise of fruitful unions. Shakespeare has been christianised and all the fairy tale has become civilised. We may consider that Shakespeare is more often looking for entertainment than for moral advancement. Here we definitely are looking for the latter. We are politically and culturally digesting the puritan revolution. The second achievement of Purcell is the density of the music in the « corrected » play. We don't know who corrected it, but the songs and the music are definitely essential for the message to go through, for the show to be entertaining, for the medium to become fascinating. We are reaching here a new phase in the dramatic development of the English stage. John Eliot Gardiner who conducts this music gives it such a high level of lightness, clearness, dramatic expressivity, richness that the music transcends any distance through many centuries to reach us and sound as modern as it can, to speak to us as if we were inside the score, on the stage, taking part in the various dances and songs. He literally absorbs us into the performance. We are with thr musicians and the singers and this sensation of inclusion gives us a tremendous level of pleasure. In other words the music is never distant or cold, but always as hot as a golden potato that is there to satisfy our hunger with its nourishment. And it sure does.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

I loved this music..........2000-12-12

Well, a few years ago I heard some excerpts from Purcell's Fairy Queen and instantly fell in love. This is one of the most underrated masterpieces of all time. Gardiner's direction is good, and the soloists are all great. However, I do have a small reservation about this recording. Although Gardiner is known for conducting at fast tempos, a couple of the arias from this recording struck me as not being fast enough. In any case, you won't be disappointed though, with Jennifer Smith's gorgeous coloratura and Archiv's digital sound, I could listen to "Thus the ever grateful spring" and "Hark how all things" all day. And, of course, Eiddwen Harrhy gives us an extremely beautiful (but somewhat lacking in dramatic effect) "Hark now the echoing air."

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