Purcell Hail bright Cecilia
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Henry Purcell
Label: Galleria
Magazine Review Date: 5/1991
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
ADD
Catalogue Number: 427 159-4AGA
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| St Cecilia's Day Ode, 'Hail, bright Cecilia' |
Henry Purcell, Composer
Alexander Young, Tenor Ambrosian Singers Charles Mackerras, Conductor English Chamber Orchestra Henry Purcell, Composer John Shirley-Quirk, Baritone Michael Rippon, Bass Paul Esswood, Alto Roland Tatnell, Alto Simon Woolf, Treble/boy soprano Tiffin Choir |
Composer or Director: Henry Purcell
Label: Galleria
Magazine Review Date: 5/1991
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 55
Mastering:
ADD
Catalogue Number: 427 159-2AGA
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| St Cecilia's Day Ode, 'Hail, bright Cecilia' |
Henry Purcell, Composer
Alexander Young, Tenor Ambrosian Singers Charles Mackerras, Conductor English Chamber Orchestra Henry Purcell, Composer John Shirley-Quirk, Baritone Michael Rippon, Bass Paul Esswood, Alto Roland Tatnell, Alto Simon Woolf, Treble/boy soprano Tiffin Choir |
Author: David Fallows
With three good recent recordings of Hail, bright Cecilia currently in the catalogue (from Gardiner/Erato, Parrott/EMI and King/Hyperion), it may not seem to be the best moment to reissue this old Archiv disc. Moreover, it is easy to note that the original LP was not only very elegantly packaged, with information that is now omitted, but was in every way a superbly pressed record. Some of the original dynamic range appears to have been lost in the transfer: compare the two versions of John Shirley-Quirk singing ''Wondrous machine''.
At the same time it must be said that Mackerras puts together a performance that is magnificent in its own terms. He has a formidable grasp of the music's dramatic structure. The English Chamber Orchestra are on first-rate form, with the help of John Wilbraham and Michael Laird (on modern Selmer trumpets) as well as David Munrow's recorder group; and their (unnamed) oboes and bassoon produce a wonderfully fluid sound for ''Thou tun'st the world''. The continuo group—which includes both Alan Haverson on the organ and Maurits Sillem in slightly aggressive form on a Goble harpsichord—is an astonishingly experienced and well-oiled ensemble. The Tiffin Choir produce a fine sound in the opening chorus: just relish those altos! And Mackerras holds back the full choral tutti of the Ambrosian Singers (I would guess about 80 of them) until ''Soul of the world'', where they enter in a truly stunning blaze of sound.
The one respect in which things are now unambiguously better is in the vocal soloists: Simon Woolf is a wonderfully expressive treble (and none of the more recent versions has a boy soloist) but in general the intonation and diction are less impressive than on the current versions.
All this is different from what we expect nowadays; but it is done with such compelling professionalism and musicianship that this recording must surely hold its place in the catalogue. Mackerras has a wonderful instinct with Purcell's lines, finding telling details at every turn.'
At the same time it must be said that Mackerras puts together a performance that is magnificent in its own terms. He has a formidable grasp of the music's dramatic structure. The English Chamber Orchestra are on first-rate form, with the help of John Wilbraham and Michael Laird (on modern Selmer trumpets) as well as David Munrow's recorder group; and their (unnamed) oboes and bassoon produce a wonderfully fluid sound for ''Thou tun'st the world''. The continuo group—which includes both Alan Haverson on the organ and Maurits Sillem in slightly aggressive form on a Goble harpsichord—is an astonishingly experienced and well-oiled ensemble. The Tiffin Choir produce a fine sound in the opening chorus: just relish those altos! And Mackerras holds back the full choral tutti of the Ambrosian Singers (I would guess about 80 of them) until ''Soul of the world'', where they enter in a truly stunning blaze of sound.
The one respect in which things are now unambiguously better is in the vocal soloists: Simon Woolf is a wonderfully expressive treble (and none of the more recent versions has a boy soloist) but in general the intonation and diction are less impressive than on the current versions.
All this is different from what we expect nowadays; but it is done with such compelling professionalism and musicianship that this recording must surely hold its place in the catalogue. Mackerras has a wonderful instinct with Purcell's lines, finding telling details at every turn.'
Purcell Hail bright Cecilia
Purcell Hail bright Cecilia
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