BaL 18.04.15 - Purcell: Music for Queen Mary's Funeral

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 am
Building a Library
Kirsten Gibson explores the currently available recordings which include Henry Purcell's Music for Queen Mary's Funeral and Funeral Sentences and makes a personal recommendation.

Queen Mary's funeral in 1695 was a lavish, no-expense-spared affair, reflecting both her popularity and the national outpouring of grief at her death. In a poignant twist, Purcell's music was used at his own funeral, six months after the Queen's. Kirsten Gibson's survey covers over 40 years of recordings and the latest research on what music was actually played at the funeral. It places Purcell's contribution in that context, including works by Thomas Tollett, James Paisable and Thomas Morley. Recordings range from attempted reconstructions of Queen Mary's funeral service down to the much less ambitious, and misleading.



Some available versions:


The Sixteen, The Symphony of Harmony and Invention, Harry Christophers

Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner

King's Consort Choir, King's Consort, Robert King

Les Trompettes des Plaisirs, Lingua Franca & Vox Luminis, Lionel Meunier

There are more versions, buried in large box sets. Over to you.

[MrGongGong]

Not forgetting this one

Can we have a bet on whether the word "Droog" will appear in the programme?

(I'd send the last of your three to landfill)

[richardfinegold]

Not forgetting this one

Can we have a bet on whether the word "Droog" will appear in the programme?

(I'd send the last of your three to landfill)

I have the Gardiner, but for many years I only knew it from W. Carlos...

[vinteuil]

There are more versions...

... I find I have -

Collegium Vocale, Herreweghe; harmonia mundi

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H287OFW

Westminster Abbey Choir, Neary; sony

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000262DL

Taverner Consort, Parrott; virgin veritas

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00000J2Q8

[MickyD]

I am very fond of the Parrott version, and it now has the advantage of coming in a cheap 2 CD Veritas set with other Purcell works.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Purcell-Cecilias-Taverner-Consort-Players/dp/B00000J2Q8/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1428667791&sr=1-1&keywords=purcell+parrott

But this one from Cleobury and the Academy of Ancient Music is also very fine:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kings-College-Choir-Purcell-Henry/dp/B000EAVA7S/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1428667858&sr=1-2&keywords=purcell+cleobury

[Pulcinella]

I seem to remember an Argo LP from St John's, Cambridge, with a picture of the college gatehouse on the cover. I have not checked to see if it ever made it to CD.

PS: It looks like Australian Eloquence might have issued it.

This is the original: memory of cover not quite right!

http://www.discogs.com/Purcell-Choir-Of-St-Johns-College-Cambridge-English-Chamber-Orchestra-The-Symphoniae-Sacrae-Charles-/release/4330666

[Pulcinella]

And this is the CD version I now have: Oxford Camerata on Naxos.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Naxos/8553129

Must have a reminding listen before the programme.

[BBMmk2]

This was premiered by one of the Household Division bands! (obviously not the current style!)

[doversoul1]

Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary, 1695
I wonder if any of these will be mentioned.

Balthasar-Neumann-Chor und -Ensemble, Thomas Hengelbrock
UH Brass Ensemble, Robin Browning
Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra, Clark Rundell ((arr.Steven Stucky)
Michael Chance (countertenor) & Andrew Manze (violin), Florilegium, Clare College Choir Cambridge & Baroque Brass of London
Ensemble de Cuivres, Pascal Vigneron
London Gabrieli Brass Ensemble
Coro della Radio Svizzera, Ensemble Vanitas, Theatrum Instrumentorum, Diego Fasolis
English String Orchestra, Leeds Festival Chorus, William Boughton

[BBMmk2]

Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary, 1695
I wonder if any of these will be mentioned.

Balthasar-Neumann-Chor und -Ensemble, Thomas Hengelbrock
UH Brass Ensemble, Robin Browning
Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra, Clark Rundell ((arr.Steven Stucky)
Michael Chance (countertenor) & Andrew Manze (violin), Florilegium, Clare College Choir Cambridge & Baroque Brass of London
Ensemble de Cuivres, Pascal Vigneron
London Gabrieli Brass Ensemble
Coro della Radio Svizzera, Ensemble Vanitas, Theatrum Instrumentorum, Diego Fasolis
English String Orchestra, Leeds Festival Chorus, William Boughton

I doubt it very much. the brass and wind bands mentioned should be good.

[Flosshilde]

Why do you doubt it, Bbm?

[BBMmk2]

Well BaL havn't included these genres before?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Much of interest here if you haven't tuned in...

[MickyD]

Yes, and I'm impressed as to how many versions the reviewer has managed to include.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes, and I'm impressed as to how many versions the reviewer has managed to include.

- and many judicious comments thereon.