Sylvia McNair: The Echoing Air - The Music of Henry Purcell

Henry Purcell (Artist), The Academy of Ancient Music (Artist), Sylvia McNair (Artist), Christopher Hogwood (Artist), Laurence Dreyfus (Artist), Paul O'Dette (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000041BF
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,867 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Baroque Dance Suites > Gigue

Track Listings

1. Part I: Staircase: Overture

2. Part I: If Music Be The Food Of Love

3. Part I: Cebell

4. Part I: To Arms, To Arms, Heroic Prince

5. Part I: To Arms

6. Part I: Tell Me, Some Pitying Angel

7. Part I: Slow Air

8. Part II: We Come To Sing

9. Part II: Oh! Lead Me To Some Peaceful Gloom

10. Part II: O Solitude

11. Part II: Hark! Hark! The Echoing Air

12. Part II: Trumpet Tune

13. Part III: Sweeter Than Roses

14. Part III: Fairest Isle

15. Part III: She That Would Gain A Faithful Lover

16. Part III: Cupid, The Slyest Rogue Alive

17. Part III: I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly

18. Part III: Jig

19. Part IV: Music For A While

20. Part IV: The Fatal Hour Comes On Apace

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music for a while shall all your cares beguile!, October 12, 2007

By 

Basso Profondo (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sylvia McNair: The Echoing Air - The Music of Henry Purcell (Audio CD)

If I were going to compare Sylvia McNair's voice to a gemstone, I would have to compare it to a pearl: Pure, Simple and extremely beautiful. I don't think I've ever heard a more naturally beautiful sound in my life. But what really amazes me is the seemingly effortlessness of her singing. You will never hear Sylvia McNair strain to sing a note, no matter what part of her range she is singing in. It's as if she just opens her mouth and this beautiful sound pours out. She has no trouble whatsoever navigating any of the coloratura in these arias. Her runs are precise and clear. Her vibrato is fast and even, and REALLY adds to the sheer beauty and elegance of her voice. One of the best things about her is that even though her voice is very pure and un-pretentious, it is not bland and colorless like some baroque singers. Oh no, Sylvia McNairs voice is absolute beauty from the very top of her voice, down to the very bottom. Of course, my words don't do her the justice she deserves, so please buy this album and experience for yourself the loveliness of Miss McNairs singing and artistry. I would also very much recommend her Mozart album as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Surprise, December 31, 2005

By 

C. Matsusaka - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sylvia McNair: The Echoing Air - The Music of Henry Purcell (Audio CD)

Normally I run in the opposite direction of any baroque music - thought I had heard it all and had enough, but I love Slyvia McNair and I wanted to hear more of her recordings. This recording was such a wonderful surprise, not only interms of McNair's performance but interms of the overall presentation (organization of the pieces) and the energy of the performances by the AAM. I have new-found appreciation of Purcell's music!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite CDs, January 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sylvia McNair: The Echoing Air - The Music of Henry Purcell (Audio CD)

When I listened to this CD, I fell in love with Sylvia McNair's artistic and beautiful voice along with Henry Purcell's music. This CD offers a style of music that I love to listen to and sing with. There is a mixture of instrumental only and vocal pieces. When I listen to this CD I feel like I have been transported to the late 1600s. The title "The Echoing Air" appropriately describes the beauty of this music.