John Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell

On this CD:

1. Marriage Ode
Composed by John Blow
Performed by Maurice Bevan, Deller Consort, Alfred Deller, Mark Deller, Philip Todd
Conducted by Alfred Deller

2. Chloe Found Amyntas Lying for voice & continuo
Composed by John Blow
Performed by Maurice Bevan, Deller Consort, Alfred Deller, Mark Deller, Philip Todd
Conducted by Alfred Deller

3. Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell, for 2 male altos, 2 recorders, viol, & continuo
Composed by John Blow
Performed by Maurice Bevan, Deller Consort, Alfred Deller, Mark Deller, Philip Todd
Conducted by Alfred Deller

Tracks:

St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244/39: Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott
Time Stands Still
Come Again
Flow My Tears
I Saw My Lady Weep
King Arthur, Z.628: Fairest Isle
So Ceas'd The Rival Crew (An Ode On the Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell)
There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue
Easter Oratorio, BWV 249/8: Saget, Saget Mir Geschwinde

Amazon.com

There's been a good deal of fanfare heralding the re-emergence of a vocal species once considered endangered--namely, the countertenor. This portrait recital of one creamy-voiced exponent, Daniel Taylor, comprises the highlights of four previous recordings and shows to great advantage the various aspects of his remarkable voice. Bravely, Taylor begins the album with one of the greater challenges in the countertenor repertoire, "Erbarme dich," from Bach's St. Matthew Passion. His bravery pays off: this is a beautifully modulated account of a suffering soul crying out for comfort. He can hit a note with icy purity and warm it through with a careful vibrato, never letting the effect seem like a trick. His voice is not as full-on luscious as that of David Daniels, nor quite as melting as that of Andreas Scholl, but Taylor does have an intelligent approach to the drama of the music and a warm precision all his own. The Purcell selection (from On the Muse's Isle) and the Dowland songs (from Tears of the Muse) are exquisite; Taylor's delicately breathless account of "Come againe" only makes this naughty song all the more teasing. There is one disappointment--"Saget, saget" from Bach's Easter Oratorio--which is rushed and careless. But it's a blip on an otherwise beautiful album. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews:

Impeccable singing - stylistically and technically.......2002-07-19

Although I mostly agree with the above reviewers, I do have a different opinion about Easter Oratorio, BWV 249/8. The speed of this aria may be on the fast side, but Dan is neither careless nor too rush. One should have a close look at the text itself as this is NOT a rhetorical dacapo aria from the Baroque opera. The text starts with the following phrase: "Saget, saget mir geschwinde" (Tell, tell me quickly). Then it continue to ask where one can find Jesus and declare his/her desire to be embraced by Him. It is appropriate to be in a slight haste to convey the urgent nature of the ardent desire.

As for "full-on luscious" nonsense, all I can say is Baroque repertoire is NOT a Wagnerian opera. Highly romanticized singing style has no place here. The phrasing, diction, voice colour (Stimmfaerbungand), and vibrato should be carefully chosen so that one can clearly communicate the composers' intention and message. If one wants to adhere to the musicological correctness, there should not be much vibrato for music before ~1800.

There is no week point in this sampler CD. It is impeccable all way through - stylistically and technically. If one wants to proceed from here, Dan's complete discography is available on the net. Just run a search with a keyword "daniel+taylor+discography" with Google.

A must-have CD for an outstanding price.......2001-08-04

I first read about Daniel Taylor on the SchollSociety messageboards and Amazon.com and I was intrigued. A Canadian countertenor with a voice comparable to Andreas Scholl's? ...I couldn't resist. I took it along on a three-hour bus ride to Tadoussac, Québec.

As the mournful opening strains of Erbarme Dich commenced, the haunting, sweeping violins and viol carried me along the winding roads through the mountains. The sky was overcast, and as I heard Taylor's voice for the first time the sun came out. I was in Heaven; beautiful vistas of mountains on one side, jagged cliffs plunging into the St. Laurent on the other and Daniel Taylor's voice in my ears. Erbarme Dich is deep, passionate, and so achingly beautiful. I am an avid lover of Bach but it was the first time I had heard anything from St. Matthew's Passion. I was more familiar with many of the other Dowland songs: Time Stands Still, Come Again, Flow My Tears, and I Saw My Lady Weep, all of which are present on Andreas Scholl's "English Folksongs and Lute Songs."

I have to disagree with the reviewer: the words "full-on luscious" and "David Daniels" should never go in the same sentence in my humble opinion. David Daniel's tone, to my delicate ears, is completely mezzo-soprano, lacking the delicacy of Scholl, Mera, and Taylor, and with poor vibrato control on the top notes. Yes, Daniels can turn out a beautiful tune but at times it sounds like a painful effort.... But I digress. On to Daniel Taylor's voice. Exquisite. Haunting. Ethereal. A creamy, lush, pure sound, more feminine than Scholl's tone, reminiscent of brilliant Japanese countertenor Yoshikazu Mera. As with Scholl, the effect sounds effortless and angelic. His vibrato is carefully controlled, his coloratura impeccable, his diction is perfect. My only disappointment with this CD was track 9, Saget, Saget, which, as reviewer Warwick Thompson stated, is rushed and careless. It sounds like Taylor and the orchestra are racing and they don't match pace frequently. But that didn't spoil my enjoyment of what is undoubtedly a remarkable album at a giveaway price. I hope that someday Daniel Taylor will receive the worldwide recognition he deserves and become better known outside of Canada. He has recorded Bach arias, Dowland, a fascinating Christmas album called "L'étoile d'orient" which includes the song "Ding dong merrily on high," and Rinaldo with Cecilia Bartoli. He also had a cameo in the recent Canadian film "Five Senses." "Daniel Taylor: Portrait" is an excellent introduction to an amazing talent. Ten stars.

Odes on the Death of Henry Purcell (English Orpheus, Vol 12) /Parley of Instruments * Goodman * Holman
Average customer rating:
Odes on the Death of Henry Purcell (English Orpheus, Vol 12) /Parley of Instruments * Goodman * Holman
Simon Birchall , John Blow , Jeremiah Clarke , Gottfried Finger , Henry Hall , Thomas Morgan , Parley of Instruments , Ruth Holton , Charles Daniels , and Rogers Covey-Crump
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002ZQY
Release Date: 1993-11-19

John Blow: On Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell
Average customer rating:
John Blow: On Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Handel Arias

Las Cantigas de Santa Maria

English Medieval Songs: The 12th and 13th Centuries

ASIN: B000FO0AOW
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Countertenor Duets by Purcell and Blow
Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan

EXCELENCIA MUSICAL

One of the best CDs around

Delightful, a must-have.

Countertenor Duets by Purcell and Blow

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Cantatas for Solo Countertenor

Art of Counter Tenor

Arias for Senesino

Moreschi - The Last Castrato

Vivaldi Heroes

ASIN: B000002ZJW
Release Date: 1992-11-18

Tracks:

come ye sons Of Art, Z323: Sound the Trumpet
Hail, Bright Cecila, Z328: In Vain the Am'rous Flute
O Solitude, My Sweetness Choice Z406
Bonduca Z574: Sing, Sing Ye Druids
O Dive Custos Auriacae Domus Z514
The Maid's Last Prayer Z601: No, Resistance Is But Vain
Tim Of Athens Z632: Hark How the Songsters
Incassum, Lesbia, Rogas - Z383
Ah, Heav'n! What is't I Hear?
Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-01-03

Henry Purcell became under the influence of John Blow's compositional style while they were both employed at Westminster Abbey. Purcell was an assistant to the royal instrument keeper while Blow was the organist. Later on Purcell became the organist succeeding Blow and in l6 years had established himself as the greatest English composer of the age. At his untimely death Blow returned as the organist at the Abbey. This CD includes the following songs by Purcell: 6 duets: "Sound the trumpet"; "In Vain the am'rous flute"; "Sing, sing ye druids";"O dive custos...";"No resistance is but vain";and "Hark how the songsters". Also 2 solos:"O solitude my sweetest choice" (Bowman); "Incassum,Lesbia rogas" (Chance). Two duets by Blow:"Ah, Heav'n! What is't I hear?" and the absolute high point of the disc :"Ode on the death of Mr. Henry Purcell". The voices of Chance and Bowman are a perfect blend and each song is rendered just to perfection!!! I personally prefer the performance of Michael Chance because of the unique quality of his vocal sound and his sensitivity to the demands of each selection. His one solo on the disc is truly a thing of beauty. It's all very enjoyable and is a nice variety of tunes.

EXCELENCIA MUSICAL.......2005-09-08

EL CD CUENTA CON UNA RECOPILACION MUY EQUILIBRADA Y DE LA MAS ALTA CALIDAD

One of the best CDs around.......2000-01-10

Two exceptional countertenors -- Bowman's voice has always been most successful in the higher range and it has a strength that many more fluttery ones don't. Michael Chance is the most secure of the countertenors I've heard and the most overall musical.

The John Blow number "Ode to ... Purcell" is, alone, worth the entire LP. A beautifully crafted piece that more people should hear.

Since so much of the other material is also prime, this is a Don't Miss, as far as I'm concerned.

Delightful, a must-have........1999-06-01

With all the hype about the new North American countertenors, fans of that voice shouldn't overlook this now-venerable gem. James Bowman and Michael Chance are in superb voice in this wonderful array of duets, and the sum of their two voices is even greater than the two constituent parts. The choice of music is gorgeous, the tempi are fast and ebullient, and the CD is altogether delightful.

Michel-Richard de Lalande: De Profundis/John Blow: Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell

Average customer rating:

Michel-Richard de Lalande: De Profundis/John Blow: Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell

Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000023G8
Release Date: 1997-08-26

Tracks:

De Profundis: De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine
De Profundis: Fiant Aures Tuae
De Profundis: Si IniQuitates
De Profundis: Quia Apud
De Profundis: Sustimuit Amima Mea
De Profundis: Sustinuit Amima Mea
De Profundis: A Custodia Matutina
De Profundis: Quia Apud Dominum
De Profundis: Et Ipse Redimet Israel - Requiem - Et lux Perpetua
Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: Mark How The Lark And Linnet Sing
Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: But In The Close Of Night
Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: So Ceas'd The Rival Crew
Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: We Beg Not Hell
Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: The Pow'r Of Harmony Too Well They Knew
Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: The Heav'nly Choir
Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: Ye Brethren Of The Lyre

Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell; Amphion Anglicus

Average customer rating:

Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell; Amphion Anglicus

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000029LQ
Release Date: 1998-02-03

Tracks:

Mark How The Lark And Linnet Sing
So Ceas'd The Rival Crew When Purcell Came
We Beg Not Hell, Our Orpheus To Restore
The Heav'nly Quire, Who Heard His Notes From High
Cloe Found Amintas Lying All In Tears
Why Weeps Asteria?
Loving Above Himself (Poor Celadon)
Shepherds, Deck Your Crooks
Ah Heav'n! What Is't I Hear?
Epilogue: Sing, Sing Ye Muses

Blow - An Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell / Lesne · Dugradin · La Canzona

Average customer rating:

Blow - An Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell / Lesne · Dugradin · La Canzona
John Blow , Henry Purcell , Gérard Lesne , Steve Dugardin , and Pierre Hamon, Sébastien Marq, Philippe Pierlot, Vincent Dumestre La Canzona
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003ZKR7
Release Date: 2002-02-16

Tracks:

Sweetness Of Nature
Son in A: Largo/(Moderato)/Allegro/Adagio
Here Let My Life
Ground in D
Music For A While
Fugue in G
In Vain The Am'rous Flute
Ste in G: Prelude
Ste in G: Almand
Ste in G: Gavot
Ste in G: Morlake's Ground
Ground in C
An Ode On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell

John Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell; Marriage Ode; Cloe found Amyntas lying

Average customer rating:

John Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell; Marriage Ode; Cloe found Amyntas lying

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000027NWV
Release Date: 1992-12-14

Tracks:

Scream
The Omen
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Nightmare On Elm Street
The Shining
Born To Darkness (From The Film Interview With The Vampire)
Salem's Lot
Children Of The Corn
Child's Play
Evil Dead
Pet Semetary
The Serpent And The Rainbow
Hellraiser
House
The Howling
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Average customer rating:

too gorgeous for words
Been there, heard it...

Elegeia

Manufacturer: Analekta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008UE7R
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Ich Habe Genug, Cantate, BWV 82
Ich Habe Genug, Cantate, BWV 82
Ich Habe Genug, Cantate, BWV 82
Ich Habe Genug, Cantate, BWV 82
Ich Habe Genug, Cantate, BWV 82
Balletti Lamentabili
Balletti Lamentabili
Balletti Lamentabili
Balletti Lamentabili
Ach, Dass Ich Wassers Genug Hatte
Lamento Sopra La Morte Ferdinandi III A Tre
Sachevil's Dolorosi
Sachevil's Dolorosi
So Ceas'd The Rival Crew
Fantazia In C Minor, No.7, Z.738
Draw Near, You Lovers, Z.462
The Funerals
The Funerals
Ye Sacred Muses
In Nomine

Customer Reviews:

too gorgeous for words.......2004-11-10

In the world of "historically informed" performance, this is a gem. The ensemble shapes phrases beautifully and the singing of Matthew White is lush. This quickly became one of my favorite recordings.

Been there, heard it..........2003-05-07

I own the magificent recording by Ian Bosteridge of Cantata 82. No doubt this record company was hoping to capitalize on the popularity of Bosteridge's disc or the discs of other countertenors who have already recorded these cantatas with greater sensitivity and success (Scholl, for example). Matthew White does not measure up to the current standard of countertenor and this disc disappoints. His voice lacks a variety of vocal colours and he pushes, almost muscles his way through some of the beautiful German laments with little awareness of the emotional power of this music. It does not help that he is supported by a thin and directionless chamber ensemble.

Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell; Purcell: The Indian Queen Z630

Average customer rating:

Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell; Purcell: The Indian Queen Z630

Manufacturer: Pierre Verany
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Tracks: