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

$20.99
Label
Signum Classics
Release Date
April 10, 2020
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      PURCELL, HENRY
    • PERFORMER
      Various
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 10, 2020
    • UPC
      635212061527
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      SIGCD615
    • LABEL
      Signum Classics
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Chamber Music & Recitals
    Works ⌄

    1. First Music: Prelude

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    2. First Music: Hornpipe

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    3. Second Music: Air

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    4. Second Music: Rondeau

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    5. Second Music: Overture

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    6. Act I: Come, come, come let us leave this town (Soprano, Bass)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Carolyn Sampson, Roderick Williams

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    7. Act I: Fill up the bowl, then… (Blindfolded Poet, First Fairy, Chorus, Second Fairy)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Ashley Riches, Rowan Pierce, Mhairi Lawson

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    8. Act I: First Act Tune: Jig

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    9. Act II: Come all ye songsters of the sky (High Tenor)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: James Way

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    10. Act II: Symphony in imitation of birds

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    11. Act II: May the God of Wit inspire (High Tenor, Tenor, Bass)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Jeremy Budd, James Way, Roderick Williams

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    12. Act II: Symphony in imitation of an echo

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    13. Act II: Now join your warbling voices all (Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    14. Act II: Sing while we trip it upon the green (Fairy, Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Rowan Pierce

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    15. Act II: See, even Night herself is here (Night)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Carolyn Sampson

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    16. Act II: I am come to lock all fast (Mystery)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Anna Dennis

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    17. Act II: One charming night (Secrecy)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Jeremy Budd

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    18. Act II: Hush, no more, be silent all (Sleep, Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Ashley Riches

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    19. Act II: Dance for the followers of night

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    20. Act II: Second Act Tune: Air

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    21. Act III: If love's a sweet passion (Nymph, Chorus, Fawn)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players, Gabrieli Consort

      Performer: Anna Dennis, James Way

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    22. Act III: Symphony while the swans come forward

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    23. Act III: Dance for the fairies

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    24. Act III: Dance for the green men

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    25. Act III: Ye gentle spirits of the air, appear! (Nymph)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Carolyn Sampson

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    26. Act III: Now the maids and the men are making of hay (Coridon, Mopsa)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Ashley Riches, Charles Daniels

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    27. Act III: Dance for the haymakers

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    28. Act III: When I have often heard young maids complaining (Nymph)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Mhairi Lawson

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    29. Act III: A thousand, thousand ways we'll find (High Tenor, Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players, Gabrieli Consort

      Performer: Jeremy Budd

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    30. Act III: Third Act Tune: Hornpipe

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    31. Act IV: Symphony

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    32. Act IV: Now the night is chased away (First Attendant, Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Carolyn Sampson

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    33. Act IV: Let the fifes and the clarions and shrill trumpets sound (Second Attendant, Third Attendant)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Jeremy Budd, James Way

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    34. Act IV: Symphony for the entry of Phoebus

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    35. Act IV: When a cruel long winter has frozen the earth (Phoebus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Charles Daniels

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    36. Act IV: Hail! Great parent of us all (Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    37. Act IV: Thus the ever grateful Spring (Spring)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Rowan Pierce

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    38. Act IV: Here's the Summer, sprightly, gay (Summer)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Jeremy Budd

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    39. Act IV: See my many coloure'd fields (Autumn)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: James Way

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    40. Act IV: Next Winter comes slowly, pale (Winter)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Roderick Williams

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    41. Act IV: Hail! Great parent of us all (Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    42. Act IV: Fourth Tune: Air

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    43. Act V: O let me ever, ever weep (Nymph)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Carolyn Sampson

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    44. Act V: Thrice happy lovers (Juno)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Anna Dennis

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    45. Act V: Entry Dance

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    46. Act V: Symphony

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    47. Act V: Thus the gloomy world (Chinese Man)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Jeremy Budd

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    48. Act V: Thus happy and free (Chinese Woman, Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Rowan Pierce

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    49. Act V: Yes, Daphne (Chinese Man)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: James Way

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    50. Act V: Monkey's Dance

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    51. Act V: Hark! How all things with one sound rejoice (Second Woman)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Anna Dennis

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    52. Act V: Hark! The echoing air a triumph sings (First Woman, Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Mhairi Lawson

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    53. Act V: Sure the dull God of Marriage does not hear (Two Chinese Women, Chorus)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Mhairi Lawson, Anna Dennis

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    54. Act V: Prelude as Hymen enters

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    55. Act V: See, see I obey (Hymen, Two Chinese Women)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Roderick Williams, Mhairi Lawson, Anna Dennis

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    56. Act V: They shall be as happy as they're fair (Two Chinese Women, Hymen)

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Mhairi Lawson, Anna Dennis, Roderick Williams

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    57. Act V: Chaconne

      Composer: Henry Purcell

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh


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