The Glory of Purcell

Stephen Roberts [baritone] (Performer), Christophe Coin (Performer), Richard Campbell (Performer), Henry Purcell (Composer), Anthony Lewis (Conductor), Christopher Hogwood (Conductor, Performer), Alfred Deller (Performer), James Bowman (Performer), John Whitworth (Performer), Academy of Ancient Music (Performer, Orchestra), L'Oiseau-Lyre Orchestra (Performer), St. Anthony Singers (Performer), Anthony Rooley (Performer), Brandenburg Consort (Orchestra), Catherine Bott (Performer), Emma Kirkby (Performer), Martyn Hill (Performer), William Kendall (Performer), Paula Chateauneuf (Performer), Catherine Mackintosh (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Stephen Roberts [baritone], Christophe Coin, Richard Campbell, Christopher Hogwood, Alfred Deller, et al.
• Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music, Brandenburg Consort
• Conductor: Anthony Lewis, Christopher Hogwood
• Composer: Henry Purcell
• Audio CD (May 16, 1995)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000004CYK
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #194,943 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Purcell Sampler, or a Greatest Hits disk, if you prefer., February 4, 2006

By	Craig Matteson (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This is a compilation disk of Greatest Hits, as it were, of Henry Purcell recorded by various artists from 1953 (the Alfred Deller track) through the 1970s through 1994. The point of the disk was part of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the much to early death of this great composer and one of the great geniuses of music that England or Britain has ever produced. I have always been a devotee of his music and absolutely adore the way he set English. It is absolutely unique to him and so full of wonderful effects that create a greater whole than the music or words alone.

1995 was a year when we got to revel in everything Purcell. I was able to see a very delightful staging of "The Indian Queene" in London at the Barbican. It had narration, dancing, the singing, and wonderful playing. At the other portion of the concert, I enjoyed a performance of "Come, Ye Sons of Art" and other works by Hogwood et al. I was hoping to hear Kirkby, and she was billed. However, she was ill. Catherine Bott did a fine job as did John Bowman (both on this disk). Another counter-tenor I was so impressed with was Robin Blaze. I haven't heard much of him since, but he was terrific that night.

There are selections from his works for stage such as "King Arthur", "The Fairy Queen", Did and Aneas, and more. The disk also provides a selection of instrumental works, some sacred selections, and all the works are a delight. The track of "Come, Ye Sons of Art" is from 1953 and recorded by Alfred Deller. If you love the movement of historically informed performance, you do owe some debt to Deller. He was an early reviver of the counter-tenor voice and trying to create a style of performance that might be more appropriate and true to the music of earlier times. He helped bring about new interest in madricals, and other early music forms.

That Emma Kirkby sings on the disk is, of course, a delight for me. I have been captivated by her singing since I first heard her live in December 1980. We also get to delight in the singing of soprano Catherine Bott and counter-tenor John Bowman. All are led by the great Christopher Hogwood (except for the Deller track, obviously).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stellar overview, January 4, 2008

By	Curmudgeon "grantc" (West Australia) - See all my reviews

Yes, it's a Greatest Hits Of Henry Purcell, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that! A stellar selection of (partial) works by superb musicians on a packed single disc, it's a one-stop introduction to a very great composer. It's worth mentioning the remastered sound, too, because it adds to the music's vibrancy.