BaL 15.02.14 - Purcell's Songs

[verismissimo]

I think she is best known as a gardening writer (eg for The Independent!

To be fair to Ms Picard, she has been music critic for the Independent and the IoS for several years. The latter made most of its arts critics redundant last year.

[BBMmk2]

Judging by AMcG's "Anna Picard will be joining me to discuss Purcell's songs" on this morning's programme, this will be a dialogue BAL. After the last two, 'classic' programmes, this tempts me somewhat less...

How unfortunate that is Cali! Two out of three ain't bad!(after the song! :))

[Thropplenoggin]

Well I'm enjoying this. Ms Picard clearly knows her stuff. A wide choice of recordings and interpretations. It would seem that crass assumptions and reactionary comments above were wholly unwarranted.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well I'm enjoying this. Ms Picard clearly knows her stuff. A wide choice of recordings and interpretations. It would seem that crass assumptions and reactionary comments above were wholly unwarranted.

I agree, and unequivocally withdraw my reservations. She is clear not an Alan Titchmarsh at the Proms. Not that I like a BaL with 2 people agreeing with each other on every point.

One question. Should Purcell be pronounced as though it were a washing product? Or should it be more like a happy cat's prison?

[Barbirollians]

So far so good and she liked Emma Kirkby ! Not too many hooting countertenors so far .

A big thumbs up to Nancy Argenta and a proper thumbs down to old hooty countertenors ! She can come again !!!:big grin:

I did like the Iestyn Davies extract but he is a superb non hooty singer .

[Barbirollians]

I can see why she liked the Sampson so much but I am sticking with Argenta as No 1 but although loads of copies still on Amazon the latter appears to be out of the catalogue on Presto.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

One question. Should Purcell be pronounced as though it were a washing product? Or should it be more like a happy cat's prison?

Judging by the scansion of a couple of contemporary poems about him, the laundry has it. (My automatic pronunciation favours the incarcerated felines.)

[Black Swan]

I enjoyed this BAL as well. I have both the Kings Consort recommendations and have just received Iestyn Davis disc. I don't have Argenta or the recommended Sampson disc so I will have a trip to the river people and maybe pick them up as well.

[Nick Armstrong]

I enjoyed this BAL as well.

Me too. Ms Picard is a natural, and the dialogue format worked well for this series of works. Her conclusions certainly tied in with what my ears were telling me - the von Otter track and the Sampson collection stood out. The Agnew disc sounded fun but his voice can make my teeth itch. I learnt a lot and there were smiles along the way plus a tear at the closing 'Evening Hymn'. Can't ask for more than that.

[Black Swan]

Caliban,

I agree with you. I now have downloaded the Sampson Collection and may look into the Van Otter recording as well. Also, on today's program they played The Blessed Virgins Expostulation. I do not know of this work. I am sure someone on the board can enlighten me about it.

[BBMmk2]

As with others like Cali and Black Swan etc, I found this BaL quite good, refreshingly so! The discussions between Ms Picard and AM, werree quite constructive! As Cali said, my ears were attuned to the reviewers!

[MickyD]

I think it is a great shame that the exhaustive Purcell Theatre Music 6 CD set from the AAM and Hogwood was completely overlooked. It was an important project throughout the 1970s and 80s, featuring many of Britain's most well-known performers of early music.

[BBMmk2]

I think it is a great shame that the exhaustive Purcell Theatre Music 6 CD set from the AAM and Hogwood was completely overlooked. It was an important project throughout the 1970s and 80s, featuring many of Britain's most well-known performers of early music.

It had a brief mention and that is all. As you say, great shame for a wonderful compilation.

[MickyD]

But I think it was the single Emma Kirkby disc from Hogwood, Rooley et al that was mentioned? This wasn't actually part of the theatre music set, but a separate release.

[Barbirollians]

But I think it was the single Emma Kirkby disc from Hogwood, Rooley et al that was mentioned? This wasn't actually part of the theatre music set, but a separate release.

Yes I think that is right - there was a second hand copy of the Argenta gong for £1.44 yesterday - well worth anyone's cash.