can I have a first-to-mind, off-the-cuff verdict on your favourite: Purcell piece?

[Flosshilde]

The Funeral Sentences.

And Come ye Sons of Art especially the counter-tenor duet Sound the Trumpet. (Recorded by Alfred Deller and John Whitworth, it was the first Purcell I ever heard, I think.)

Jean, I think you & I are twin souls (in fact, are you sure you're not me?)

[Serial_Apologist]

Jean, I think you & I are twin souls (in fact, are you sure you're not me?)

Can anyone else jump into this particular womb??

[Mary Chambers]

Definitely Nymphs and Shepherds. It was this that set me on the road to a musical career, when my primary school teacher (who had been on the famous Manchester Children's Choir recording) played it to us in 1956.

Against all advice, I reintroduced it to secondary school choirs in the 80's and 90's. They sang it like angels. Even the sceptical music-advisor-cum-ofsted-inspector had to concede that they enjoyed singing it.

That is very interesting. I've always felt that schoolchildren would still enjoy this sort of music if only they were given it.

[Serial_Apologist]

That is very interesting. I've always felt that schoolchildren would still enjoy this sort of music if only they were given it.

"Nymphs and Shepherds" would probably be regarded as subliminal grooming in this day and age.

[amateur51]

"Nymphs and Shepherds" would probably be regarded as subliminal grooming in this day and age.

I've been trying to find Cathy Berberian's recording on youtube, with no success.

If any version is laden with warnings, it's that one

Did it not make it to CD?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EDINBURGH-FESTIVAL-VINYL-ALBUM-1974/dp/B00E3T3B9G/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1380117396&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Berberian+Edinburgh

[arthroceph]

Thanks everybody for the replies! Cheers!

[Padraig]

"Nymphs and Shepherds" would probably be regarded as subliminal grooming in this day and age.

I don't understand this. I would appreciate an explanation.

[Rolmill]

First to leap to mind: the song "Music for a while", definitely an earworm for me.

Next: I agree with Mercia's "Hear my Prayer" choice, it's an astonishing 2 1/2 minutes of cumulative intensity.