BaL 22.11.14 - Purcell: Hail! Bright Cecilia

[LeMartinPecheur]

Probably won't figure on air, but BBC MM put out a 1995 live performance under King which didn't stint on soloists - Susan Gritton, James Bowman, Rogers Covey-Crump, Mark Milhofer, Colin Campbell, Michael George.

My first version in LP days was the Archiv ECO/ Mackerras version, long gone because the last chorus seemed almost untrackable even by decent Shure cartridges. In the end I binned it because a stylus apparently gave up and settled for cutting its own groove No such problems with the Parrott in its LP version I'm pleased to report.

Terrific work - might just be up for a new version...

EDIT post-programme. Apparently I didn't bin the Mackerras - there it is on the LP shelf, cunningly hidden alongside the Parrott<doh> Must see if a superior MC cartridge and a Linn do any better than my old Shures, though I fear they did plough their own furrow

I should probably stick with the Parrott on LP, but the King box of the complete odes, welcome songs etc is very tempting. Did I hear a rumour that it's Christmas soon?

Couldn't wait for Santa Picked up the 6 King vols that I hadn't got from Marketplace (mix of new and s/h) for about £30, a lot better than the big box for £55 (import only apparently)

The Festive Season has definitely now started chez LMP

[silvestrione]

a good BAL eh?

Yes, a delight from start to finish, for me. Wonderful music, fascinating differences between the various approaches.

I would like to hear the King, Parrott and Herreweghe in full. Don't need another version though, I don't think, I have the Mackerras and love it.

[Nick Armstrong]

Yes, a delight from start to finish, for me. Wonderful music, fascinating differences between the various approaches.

Agree completely - a super 50 minute listen, about a work of which I don't have a recording. It was the Herreweghe that consistently caught my ear - this may well be an instance of me investing in the runner-up.

Am I wrong or did JEG's version rather sink without trace? Can't recall a great deal of time spent on it by the reviewer....

[MickyD]

Yes, Cali, the JEG got dismissed pretty quickly...if I remember rightly, there was a rather barbed comment about him making Purcell sound like Handel.

[verismissimo]

Yes, Cali, the JEG got dismissed pretty quickly...if I remember rightly, there was a rather barbed comment about him making Purcell sound like Handel.

That could be a serious improvement. I just invested in it...

[LeMartinPecheur]

Yes, Cali, the JEG got dismissed pretty quickly...if I remember rightly, there was a rather barbed comment about him making Purcell sound like Handel.

I was surprised and disappointed at JEG's fussy over-stressing/ over-separation of the words in an excerpt played: it broke up the musical line horribly IMHO.

[ardcarp]

I was surprised and disappointed at JEG's fussy over-stressing/ over-separation of the words in an excerpt played: it broke up the musical line horribly IMHO.

Indeed. He seemed to apply the Lutheran treatment quite inappropriately. Interesting that Herrewegher was more in sympathy with the style.

[MickyD]

I remember reading an interview with Herreweghe once in which he said that he prized just a few lines of Purcell over the the whole of Lully's output. Obviously he has great regard for him...all the more surprising that he has never given us more.

[BBMmk2]

Who won, then?

[LeMartinPecheur]

Who won, then?

The old (1980s?) Andrew Parrott.

[doversoul1]

Well, this is odd. I’m sure this was available from Presto Classical when I checked their catalogue a few days ago. Didn’t Andrew say it was available on CD with two other works?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Purcell-Cecilias-Taverner-Consort-Players/dp/B00000J2Q8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_m_h__1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1M3AYAKYQVEXGXGS67A2

[BBMmk2]

A pity about that being a download, ah well have to search for the next best!

[vinteuil]

A pity about that being a download, ah well have to search for the next best!

... BBM - doversoul pointed out in #28 above that it is available as a CD -

Well, this is odd. I’m sure this was available from Presto Classical when I checked their catalogue a few days ago. Didn’t Andrew say it was available on CD with two other works?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Purcell-Ceci...KYQVEXGXGS67A2

[french frank]

A thread on CDs, downloads and streaming has been detached from the BaL thread on Purcell, as requested.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?12376-CDs-downloads-streaming

[BBMmk2]

A thread on CDs, downloads and streaming has been detached from the BaL thread on Purcell, as requested.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...oads-streaming

Thanks Vinteul! Great idea FF! :)