Description
Helios: Purcell and Blow — Countertenor Duets (Bowman, Chance, The King's Consort) (Audio CD)
Brand new! Factory packaged! As pictured! Buy with confidence!
Product Details:
- Product Type: Audio CD
- Brand / Label: Helios (Hyperion)
- Composers: Henry Purcell, John Blow
- Title: Countertenor Duets by Purcell and Blow
- Soloists: James Bowman & Michael Chance (countertenors)
- Ensemble: The King's Consort
- Director: Robert King
- Reissue Year: 2014 (recorded 1987; original Hyperion CDA66253)
- UPC: 034571154473
- Catalog Number: CDH55447
- Genre: Classical, Baroque
- Condition: New / Factory Sealed
Product Features
- Format: CD
- Discs: 1
- Tracks: 10
- Duration: 65:10
- Recording: DDD; recorded 14–15 May 1987
- Series: The Hyperion Helios Series
- Made in France
- Language: English / Latin
Overview
A celebrated meeting of two of the finest countertenors of their generation. James Bowman and Michael Chance join forces on a program of duets and solos by Henry Purcell and his teacher John Blow, accompanied by The King's Consort under Robert King.
The Purcell half is a feast: "Sound the trumpet," "Sing, sing ye druids," "O solitude, my sweetest choice!" and the moving "Incassum Lesbia (The Queen's Epicedium)" show the composer's gift for marrying English text to expressive vocal line. The two voices intertwine with the kind of blend only seasoned duet partners achieve.
Blow's contribution closes the disc with weight: his great "Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell," a 22-minute lament from teacher to pupil, is one of the most touching tributes in all English music.
Long admired by critics — a Gramophone Critics' Choice — this is essential baroque listening, reissued in Hyperion's budget Helios series. For lovers of Purcell, early music and the countertenor voice, it's a benchmark recording.
Interesting Facts
- James Bowman was one of the most important countertenors of the 20th century, central to the early-music revival in Britain.
- Michael Chance built an equally distinguished career, admired across Europe for his work in baroque opera and oratorio.
- John Blow (1649–1708) was Purcell's teacher; his "Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell" mourns a pupil who died tragically young at 36.
- The recording was praised by Gramophone as a vocal tour de force and named a Critics' Choice.
- The King's Consort, founded by Robert King in 1980, became one of the leading period-instrument ensembles for English baroque repertoire.
- The album was originally issued on Hyperion (CDA66253) in 1988 and later reissued on the budget Helios line.
Track Listing
Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
- Sound the trumpet — 2:26
- In vain the Am'rous Flute — 6:06
- O solitude, my sweetest choice! — 5:44
- Sing, sing ye druids — 2:43
- O dive custos Auriacae domus — 7:04
- No, resistance is but vain — 4:40
- Hark how the songsters — 3:06
- Incassum Lesbia (The Queen's Epicedium) — 7:49
John Blow (1649–1708)
- Ah, heav'n! What is't I hear? — 3:22
- Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell — 22:05
Publishers
Reissued 2014 on Helios (CDH55447), a Hyperion Records budget series. Recorded May 1987; recording producer Mark Brown, engineer Antony Howell, executive producer Edward Perry. Originally issued on Hyperion CDA66253. Made in France.
Picked this up? A short review helps other early-music lovers find it.
