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Purcell: The Fairy Queen 1692 / Sampson, Daniels, McCreesh, Gabrieli Consort
Signum Classics

Purcell: The Fairy Queen 1692 / Sampson, Daniels, McCreesh, Gabrieli Consort

$27.99

Details

Composer
PURCELL, HENRY
Artist
Various
Format
CD
Label
Signum Classics
Released
Apr 10, 2020
Catalog #
SIGCD615
UPC
635212061527

About

Purcell’s The Fairy Queen is based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play not frequently performed in the late 17th century, nor very well regarded (“the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life” - Samuel Pepys’ diary, 1662). Despite this, the play would go on to work well within an opera, as the characters of Pyramus and Thisbe could conjure up singing and dancing accomplices. Purcell’s masterful composition, Gabrieli’s first-class performance, and McCreesh’s superb interpretation demonstrate why their recordings are seen as some of the best in classical music today.

Gabrieli are world-renowned interpreters of great vocal and instrumental repertoire, from the Renaissance to the present day. Founded by Paul McCreesh in 1982, Gabrieli have both outgrown and remained true to their original identity: whilst the ensemble’s repertoire has expanded beyond any expectation, McCreesh’s ever-questioning spirit, expressive musicianship and a healthy degree of iconoclasm remain constant and are reflected in the ensemble’s dynamic performances. Gabrieli’s repertoire includes major works of the oratorio tradition, virtuosic a cappella programmes and mold-breaking reconstructions of music for historical events. Above all, Gabrieli aims to create thought-provoking performances which stand out from the crowd.

REVIEWS:

How to pick highlights when everything is a highlight? The First Music introduces us to the string band’s crisp, punchy execution, incising phrasing and tight ensemble. The natural trumpets, especially built for this recording, blaze out triumphantly in the Second Music’s Overture. Further on, they share the limelight with chorus and timpani in the gloriously Handelian “Hail Great Parent of us All”.

By contrast, there are the exquisite recorders and theorbo in the delicate, charming “Symphony in Imitation of Birds”, and the mournful nymph accompanied by a consoling oboe in the air “Oh Let Me Ever, Ever Weep”. Only slightly less melancholy is the gorgeous “If Love’s a Sweet Passion” for nymph, chorus and fawn; the string playing here is as entrancing as the singing. Then there are those brilliant comic moments, like the drunk blindfolded poet tormented by fairies. Or Coridon and Mopsa lustily singing “Now the Maids and the Men are making of Hay” to the frenzied strumming of guitar.

--Limelight

There’s an air of generosity and joy about this recording, as well as a communicative, engaging sense of theatrical narrative that works on its own terms. Reference is made in the thorough and splendid booklet notes which is the work of several hands – and is once again festooned with black and white photographs of a ‘cow and leaf’ nature – regarding the placement of the Chaconne to end the work but that won’t come as a surprise for those who have John Eliot Gardiner’s recording.

This is an elegant, refined and strongly realized performance. Earthier alternatives exist...but if you follow McCreesh and his forces you will lack for little in polish and affect, in the truest sense.

--MusicWeb International

Tracklist 57 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 First Music: Prelude 01:41
    Track
    1
    Title
    First Music: Prelude
    Duration
    01:41
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  3. 2 First Music: Hornpipe 01:01
    Track
    2
    Title
    First Music: Hornpipe
    Duration
    01:01
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  4. 3 Second Music: Air 01:22
    Track
    3
    Title
    Second Music: Air
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  5. 4 Second Music: Rondeau 01:36
    Track
    4
    Title
    Second Music: Rondeau
    Duration
    01:36
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  6. 5 Second Music: Overture 01:32
    Track
    5
    Title
    Second Music: Overture
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  7. 6 Act I: Come, come, come let us leave this town (Soprano, Bass) 02:43
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I: Come, come, come let us leave this town (Soprano, Bass)
    Duration
    02:43
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Carolyn Sampson, Roderick Williams
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  8. 7 Act I: Fill up the bowl, then… (Blindfolded Poet, First Fairy, Chorus, Second Fairy) 06:18
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I: Fill up the bowl, then… (Blindfolded Poet, First Fairy, Chorus, Second Fairy)
    Duration
    06:18
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Ashley Riches, Rowan Pierce, Mhairi Lawson
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  9. 8 Act I: First Act Tune: Jig 01:08
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I: First Act Tune: Jig
    Duration
    01:08
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  10. 9 Act II: Come all ye songsters of the sky (High Tenor) 02:09
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act II: Come all ye songsters of the sky (High Tenor)
    Duration
    02:09
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    James Way
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  11. 10 Act II: Symphony in imitation of birds 01:17
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act II: Symphony in imitation of birds
    Duration
    01:17
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  12. 11 Act II: May the God of Wit inspire (High Tenor, Tenor, Bass) 01:18
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act II: May the God of Wit inspire (High Tenor, Tenor, Bass)
    Duration
    01:18
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Jeremy Budd, James Way, Roderick Williams
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  13. 12 Act II: Symphony in imitation of an echo 01:52
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act II: Symphony in imitation of an echo
    Duration
    01:52
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  14. 13 Act II: Now join your warbling voices all (Chorus) 00:33
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act II: Now join your warbling voices all (Chorus)
    Duration
    00:33
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  15. 14 Act II: Sing while we trip it upon the green (Fairy, Chorus) 02:11
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act II: Sing while we trip it upon the green (Fairy, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:11
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Rowan Pierce
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  16. 15 Act II: See, even Night herself is here (Night) 05:06
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act II: See, even Night herself is here (Night)
    Duration
    05:06
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Carolyn Sampson
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  17. 16 Act II: I am come to lock all fast (Mystery) 01:38
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act II: I am come to lock all fast (Mystery)
    Duration
    01:38
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Anna Dennis
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  18. 17 Act II: One charming night (Secrecy) 02:26
    Track
    17
    Title
    Act II: One charming night (Secrecy)
    Duration
    02:26
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  19. 18 Act II: Hush, no more, be silent all (Sleep, Chorus) 04:15
    Track
    18
    Title
    Act II: Hush, no more, be silent all (Sleep, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:15
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Ashley Riches
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  20. 19 Act II: Dance for the followers of night 01:40
    Track
    19
    Title
    Act II: Dance for the followers of night
    Duration
    01:40
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  21. 20 Act II: Second Act Tune: Air 01:35
    Track
    20
    Title
    Act II: Second Act Tune: Air
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  22. 21 Act III: If love's a sweet passion (Nymph, Chorus, Fawn) 05:23
    Track
    21
    Title
    Act III: If love's a sweet passion (Nymph, Chorus, Fawn)
    Duration
    05:23
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Anna Dennis, James Way
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players, Gabrieli Consort
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  23. 22 Act III: Symphony while the swans come forward 02:22
    Track
    22
    Title
    Act III: Symphony while the swans come forward
    Duration
    02:22
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  24. 23 Act III: Dance for the fairies 00:42
    Track
    23
    Title
    Act III: Dance for the fairies
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  25. 24 Act III: Dance for the green men 01:39
    Track
    24
    Title
    Act III: Dance for the green men
    Duration
    01:39
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  26. 25 Act III: Ye gentle spirits of the air, appear! (Nymph) 05:37
    Track
    25
    Title
    Act III: Ye gentle spirits of the air, appear! (Nymph)
    Duration
    05:37
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Carolyn Sampson
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  27. 26 Act III: Now the maids and the men are making of hay (Coridon, Mopsa) 03:49
    Track
    26
    Title
    Act III: Now the maids and the men are making of hay (Coridon, Mopsa)
    Duration
    03:49
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Ashley Riches, Charles Daniels
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  28. 27 Act III: Dance for the haymakers 00:54
    Track
    27
    Title
    Act III: Dance for the haymakers
    Duration
    00:54
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  29. 28 Act III: When I have often heard young maids complaining (Nymph) 02:30
    Track
    28
    Title
    Act III: When I have often heard young maids complaining (Nymph)
    Duration
    02:30
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Mhairi Lawson
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  30. 29 Act III: A thousand, thousand ways we'll find (High Tenor, Chorus) 02:03
    Track
    29
    Title
    Act III: A thousand, thousand ways we'll find (High Tenor, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:03
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players, Gabrieli Consort
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  31. 30 Act III: Third Act Tune: Hornpipe 01:08
    Track
    30
    Title
    Act III: Third Act Tune: Hornpipe
    Duration
    01:08
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  32. Disc 2
  33. 1 Act IV: Symphony 06:12
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act IV: Symphony
    Duration
    06:12
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  34. 2 Act IV: Now the night is chased away (First Attendant, Chorus) 02:04
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act IV: Now the night is chased away (First Attendant, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:04
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Carolyn Sampson
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  35. 3 Act IV: Let the fifes and the clarions and shrill trumpets sound (Second Attendant, Third Attendant) 01:16
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act IV: Let the fifes and the clarions and shrill trumpets sound (Second Attendant, Third Attendant)
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Jeremy Budd, James Way
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  36. 4 Act IV: Symphony for the entry of Phoebus 00:33
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act IV: Symphony for the entry of Phoebus
    Duration
    00:33
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  37. 5 Act IV: When a cruel long winter has frozen the earth (Phoebus) 02:52
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act IV: When a cruel long winter has frozen the earth (Phoebus)
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Charles Daniels
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  38. 6 Act IV: Hail! Great parent of us all (Chorus) 02:01
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act IV: Hail! Great parent of us all (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  39. 7 Act IV: Thus the ever grateful Spring (Spring) 02:00
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act IV: Thus the ever grateful Spring (Spring)
    Duration
    02:00
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Rowan Pierce
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  40. 8 Act IV: Here's the Summer, sprightly, gay (Summer) 01:48
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act IV: Here's the Summer, sprightly, gay (Summer)
    Duration
    01:48
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  41. 9 Act IV: See my many coloure'd fields (Autumn) 03:15
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act IV: See my many coloure'd fields (Autumn)
    Duration
    03:15
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    James Way
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  42. 10 Act IV: Next Winter comes slowly, pale (Winter) 02:38
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act IV: Next Winter comes slowly, pale (Winter)
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Roderick Williams
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  43. 11 Act IV: Hail! Great parent of us all (Chorus) 02:05
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act IV: Hail! Great parent of us all (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:05
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  44. 12 Act IV: Fourth Tune: Air 01:15
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act IV: Fourth Tune: Air
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  45. 13 Act V: O let me ever, ever weep (Nymph) 07:52
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act V: O let me ever, ever weep (Nymph)
    Duration
    07:52
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Carolyn Sampson
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  46. 14 Act V: Thrice happy lovers (Juno) 04:10
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act V: Thrice happy lovers (Juno)
    Duration
    04:10
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Anna Dennis
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  47. 15 Act V: Entry Dance 01:25
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act V: Entry Dance
    Duration
    01:25
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  48. 16 Act V: Symphony 01:05
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act V: Symphony
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  49. 17 Act V: Thus the gloomy world (Chinese Man) 04:50
    Track
    17
    Title
    Act V: Thus the gloomy world (Chinese Man)
    Duration
    04:50
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  50. 18 Act V: Thus happy and free (Chinese Woman, Chorus) 01:16
    Track
    18
    Title
    Act V: Thus happy and free (Chinese Woman, Chorus)
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Rowan Pierce
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  51. 19 Act V: Yes, Daphne (Chinese Man) 02:38
    Track
    19
    Title
    Act V: Yes, Daphne (Chinese Man)
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    James Way
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  52. 20 Act V: Monkey's Dance 01:01
    Track
    20
    Title
    Act V: Monkey's Dance
    Duration
    01:01
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  53. 21 Act V: Hark! How all things with one sound rejoice (Second Woman) 02:07
    Track
    21
    Title
    Act V: Hark! How all things with one sound rejoice (Second Woman)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Anna Dennis
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  54. 22 Act V: Hark! The echoing air a triumph sings (First Woman, Chorus) 02:27
    Track
    22
    Title
    Act V: Hark! The echoing air a triumph sings (First Woman, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:27
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Mhairi Lawson
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  55. 23 Act V: Sure the dull God of Marriage does not hear (Two Chinese Women, Chorus) 03:01
    Track
    23
    Title
    Act V: Sure the dull God of Marriage does not hear (Two Chinese Women, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:01
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Mhairi Lawson, Anna Dennis
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  56. 24 Act V: Prelude as Hymen enters 00:47
    Track
    24
    Title
    Act V: Prelude as Hymen enters
    Duration
    00:47
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  57. 25 Act V: See, see I obey (Hymen, Two Chinese Women) 04:07
    Track
    25
    Title
    Act V: See, see I obey (Hymen, Two Chinese Women)
    Duration
    04:07
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Roderick Williams, Mhairi Lawson, Anna Dennis
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  58. 26 Act V: They shall be as happy as they're fair (Two Chinese Women, Hymen) 02:10
    Track
    26
    Title
    Act V: They shall be as happy as they're fair (Two Chinese Women, Hymen)
    Duration
    02:10
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Performer
    Mhairi Lawson, Anna Dennis, Roderick Williams
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh
  59. 27 Act V: Chaconne 02:40
    Track
    27
    Title
    Act V: Chaconne
    Duration
    02:40
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Gabrieli Players
    Conductor
    Paul McCreesh