Orpheus In England: Dowland & Purcell: Songs And Lute Music / Kirkby, Lindberg

$21.99
Label
BIS
Release Date
December 1, 2010
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      DOWLAND, JOHN PURCELL, HENRY
    • PERFORMER
      Jakob, Emma, Lindberg, Kirkby
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      December 01, 2010
    • UPC
      7318590017258
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      BIS-CD-1725
    • LABEL
      BIS
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Vocal



DOWLAND Songs and Lute Solos. PURCELL Songs and Lute Solos • Emma Kirkby (sop); Jakob Lindberg (lt) • BIS CD 1725 (75:19 Text and Translation)


It is almost superfluous to add a review to the header, for this disc provides exactly what the listing promises. There are nine songs and five solo lute pieces by Dowland, and seven songs and seven solo lute pieces by Purcell, culled from various sources, in performances by two of the greatest artists of our time that simply are beyond exquisite in every way. All is subtlety, refinement, delicacy, intimacy, and deeply penetrating expressiveness, in which every word, every inflection, and every chord takes its share and lightly carries its burden. Above all, it is art that is utterly natural and free from self-conscious artifice. If somehow you have never broached this repertoire or these performers before now, look no further for a starting point and take the plunge immediately. Those with prior acquaintance will need no further urging from me to regard this as an essential acquisition. The recorded sound is fairly close, with a pleasant and not excessive degree of warmth and reverberation. Intelligent program notes and full texts are provided. Highest possible recommendation, and an immediate nominee for the Classical Hall of Fame.


FANFARE: James A. Altena