Daniel Taylor - On The Muse's Isle (Vocal and Instrumental Works of Henry Purcell)

On this CD:

1. Fairest Isle (from "King Arthur"), aria for soprano, Z. 628/38 Fairest Isle
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

2. Sonata in three parts for two violins, bass viol & continuo No.9 in C minor, Z. 798
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

3. Music for a While (from "Oedipus"), song, Z. 583/2
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

4. Sonata in four parts for two violins, bass viol & continuo No.3 in A minor, Z. 804
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

5. Welcome to all the pleasures (A Ode for St. Cecilia's Day), for soloists, chorus & instruments, Z. 339 Here the deities approve
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

6. Now that the sun hath veiled his light, sacred song for soprano & continuo, Z. 193
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

7. O solitude, my sweetest choice, song, Z. 406
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

8. Sonata in four parts for two violins, bass viol & continuo No.6 in G minor, Z. 807
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

9. O solitude, my sweetest choice, song, Z. 406
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

10. Sonata in three parts for two violins, bass viol & continuo No.12 in D major, Z. 801
Composed by Henry Purcell
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

11. So ceas'd the rival crew
Composed by John Blow
Performed by Margaret Little, Christine Moran, Susan Napper, Susan Napper, Chantal Remillard, Sylvain Bergeron, Sylvain Bergeron, Rejean Poirier, Rejean Poirier

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The talented young Canadian Daniel Taylor is another in the impressive crop of countertenors now coming to prominence. His pure, light voice has a slight vibrato and a natural-sounding timbre; while his lowest notes seem underpowered, his upper range is clear and unconstrained. It's a small voice, certainly, but very likable within its limits. For his solo debut recording, Taylor has selected some of Purcell's best-known songs, including "Music for a while," "O solitude," and "Fairest isle." He has chosen well: these relatively subdued items call for the gentle delivery and musical subtlety that are his strengths without requiring more volume or drama than he can comfortably deliver. Included alongside the songs are several of Purcell's trio sonatas for strings, exquisitely played by the Montreal period-instrument ensemble Da Sonar. The performances' only real flaw is, as it were, an excess of moderation--especially as regards the tempos, which range from moderato to allegro moderato. All in all, though, what this record may lack in excitement it makes up in good taste--very Canadian. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

"Fairest isle" from King Arthur/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonar with Daniel Taylor
Sonata No. 9 in C minor/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonar with Daniel Taylor
"Music for a While" from Oedipus/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonarwith Daniel Taylor
Sonata No. 3 in A minor/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonar with Daniel Taylor
"Here the deities approve" from Welcome to all the pleasures/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonar with Daniel Taylor
An Evening Hymn on a Ground/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonar withDaniel Taylor
"O solitude, my sweetest choice"/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sowith Daniel Taylor
Sonata No. 6 in G minor/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonar with Daniel Taylor
Sonata No. 12 in D major/Composed by Henry Purcell/Performed by Da Sonar with Daniel Taylor
"So ceas the rival crew" from An Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell/Composed by John Blow/Performed by Da Sonar with Daniel Taylor
So Ceas'd The Rival Crew: An Ode On The Death Of Mr Henry Purcell - Daniel Taylor

Amazon.com essential recording

The talented young Canadian Daniel Taylor is another in the impressive crop of countertenors now coming to prominence. His pure, light voice has a slight vibrato and a natural-sounding timbre; while his lowest notes seem underpowered, his upper range is clear and unconstrained. It's a small voice, certainly, but very likable within its limits. For his solo debut recording, Taylor has selected some of Purcell's best-known songs, including "Music for a while," "O solitude," and "Fairest isle." He has chosen well: these relatively subdued items call for the gentle delivery and musical subtlety that are his strengths without requiring more volume or drama than he can comfortably deliver. Included alongside the songs are several of Purcell's trio sonatas for strings, exquisitely played by the Montreal period-instrument ensemble Da Sonar. The performances' only real flaw is, as it were, an excess of moderation--especially as regards the tempos, which range from moderato to allegro moderato. All in all, though, what this record may lack in excitement it makes up in good taste--very Canadian. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Superb.......2000-07-05

As far as my personal opinion goes, Daniel Taylor is everything I want in a countertenor. His singing combines a naturally sounding tone, a comfortably wide range, and an uncanny ability to convey emotion. Critics occasionally fault him for not being more dramatic (see, e.g., the editorial review on this page), but to me, Taylor's subtle tools of expression are much more appealing than the more overtly operatic style of some other countertenors. Besides, the absence of operatic drama is irrelevant when it comes to a disc like this one. This CD collects several lyrical (or even melancholy) pieces by Henry Purcell. Taylor's subtlety works very well in this selection. Two pieces are absolute gems: An Evening Hymn (a remarkable combination of a treble-like sound and a mature eloquence), and John Blow's Ode on the death of Purcell (Taylor runs Michael Chance very close in this one!).

Music Review:

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