A Purcell Collection

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HENRY PURCELL
A Purcell Collection
VOCES8, Les Inventions

[ Signum / CD ]

Release Date: Friday 21 March 2014

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The young, virtuoso a cappella ensemble VOCES8 return to disc on Signum with a sumptuous collection of early works by Henry Purcell, one of England's greatest composers. Joined by the specialist early music ensemble 'Les Inventions', the group explores Purcell's astoundingly diverse output. There is hardly a genre in which he did not express himself: anthems, odes, funeral music, semi--operas, masques, sonatas, consort--music, songs and catches populate his extraordinarily multifaceted oeuvre. It is this astonishing diversity that Signum and VOCES8 celebrate.

"every number here has something particularly arresting within it, all supported by persuasive and committed singing, and playing of intense charm." (Five Stars BBC Music)

"most agreeable, with many moments to savour along the way. The performances at times touch excellence…Voces 8 are at their best in more homophonic music, producing admirably balanced performances of considerable breadth and richness...an ideal introduction into at least part of his [Purcell's] world." (Early Music Today)

"Voces8 here make use of their intermediate size...to bring together what would normally be an unlikely Purcell vocal anthology...There are times when I feel that interpretative tricks are missed...but there is no doubting that this disc still offers a rich and enjoyable demonstration of Purcell's genius." (Gramophone)

Tracks:

Morley:
Second Dirge Anthem

Purcell:
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, Z46
To the Hills and the Vales (from Dido & Aeneas)
By beauteous softness (from Now does the glorious day appear, Z332)
O God, thou art my god, Z35
How Happy the Lover
What power art thou? (from King Arthur, Z628)
Behold, O Mightiest of Gods
My heart is inditing, Z30
Bid the virtues (from Come ye Sons of Art, Z323)
Hail! Bright Cecilia (Ode for St Cecilia's Day 1692), Z328
Strike the Viol (from Come Ye Sons of Art, Z323)
Thou knowest, Lord
Fairest Isle (from King Arthur)
Full Fathom Five (from The Tempest, Z631)