Gustav Leonhardt, Leonhardt-Consort, David Willcocks, King's College Choir, Frans Brüggen, Brüggen-Consort - Henry Purcell: Anthems, Instrumental Music, Songs (1993)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 556 Mb | Total time: 50:30+60:53 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Teldec | # 9031-77608-2 | Recorded: 1967, 1968, 1970
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 556 Mb | Total time: 50:30+60:53 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Teldec | # 9031-77608-2 | Recorded: 1967, 1968, 1970
This 2 CD-set presents two aspects of Purcell's music: religious music and instrumental music. Let's start by the first CD. It includes magnificent anthems for the Church for soloists, choir, and orchestra. The first track to open the CD, "Rejoice in the Lord alway", is probably one of Purcell's most famous anthem. The beautiful introduction (sometimes known as the Bell Anthem) prepares the entry of the two countertenors who expose the melody, intoned by the choir later. As with Purcell's style, the music is always refined. The soloists are all top-notch here, and the choir (King's College of Cambridge) is, as always, magnificent. It is really nice to hear the soprano part sung by boys, as I think it gives another dimension to Purcell's music.