Arne: Alfred: An English Masque

Thomas Augustine Arne (Composer), Nicholas McGegan (Conductor), Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale (Orchestra), David Daniels (Performer), Christine Brandes (Performer), Jennifer Smith (Performer), Jamie MacDougall (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David Daniels, Christine Brandes, Jennifer Smith, Jamie MacDougall
• Orchestra: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
• Conductor: Nicholas McGegan
• Composer: Thomas Augustine Arne
• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Harmonia Mundi / BMG Classics
• ASIN: B00002062H
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,847 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #48 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > Vocal & Song > General AAS

Track Listings

1. Overture: Allegro moderato

2. Overture: Andante

3. Overture: Tempo di minuetto

4. Air: Though to a desert isle confin'd

5. Air: The shepherd's plain life - Duet: Then let us the snare of ambition beware

6. Air: Come calm content

7. Air: Sweet valley say where

8. Air: Why beats my heart with such devotion

9. Trio: Let not those who love complain

10. Air: If those who live in shepherd's bow'r

11. Air: A youth adorn'd with ev'ry art

12. Air: From the dawn of early morning

13. Air: As calms succeed when storms are past

14. Air: Hear, Alfred, hear

15. Air: Gracious heav'n, O hear me!

16. Air: Vengeance, O come inspire me!

17. Air: Though storms awhile the sun obscure

18. Dirge: There honour comes, a pilgrim grey

19. Recitative: Ah, me! What fears oppress my throbbing heart!

20. Air: Guardian angels, O descend

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could not be much better, October 26, 1999

By 

F. Behrens "Frank Behrens" (Keene, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arne: Alfred: An English Masque (Audio CD)

You all know "Rule Britannia" when you hear it and some of you probably know the words to the refrain, if not the verse. Those of you who do crosswords might even know that the composer was (Thomas) Arne. And now that Deutsche Harmonia Mundi has released a CD of <Alfred: an English Masque> (75605 51314 2), you know where that anthem comes from and (if you read the generous notes that come with the recording) a lot more about this wonderful relic. Originally written in 1740 for the Prince of Wales, it was later expanded from 8 numbers to the 24 on this recording. If you like Handel, you will like Arne. Which means you enjoy hearing how it can take nearly 6 minutes to sing 8 lines without boring the listener! The plot of "Alfred" is the usual nonsense with "lowly rustics" singing simple tunes and the "high born" singing complex ones. And the cast in this recording is just about perfect to deliver the Saxon goods: Jennifer Smith, Christine Brandes, David Daniels, and Jamie MacDougall. The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorale are under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, and the whole enterprise is performed with spirit and style. So if counter-tenor Mr. Daniels is not quite as elegant as was the late Alfred Deller, he has perhaps more dash, which is what is needed in this Georgian salute to the Rulers of the Waves. A good job all around.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any music lover must have this one., October 17, 1999

By 

"ilneddo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arne: Alfred: An English Masque (Audio CD)

What a wonderful performance. The final ode ("Rule, Britannia!") had me on my feet cheering and crying. The soloists are uniformly fine. But, David Daniels as Prince Edward is simply a joy. His "Vengeance" aria is glorious. What an outstanding performer and vocal actor. Don't miss this one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Performance by David Daniels, October 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Arne: Alfred: An English Masque (Audio CD)

There is the effortless beauty of "Why beats my heart with such devotion" and the spectacular coloratura and drama in "Vengeance, O come inspire me!" Daniels adds to his growing list of distinguished recordings and to his reputation as one of the great singers in the world.