Henry Purcell

[Sir Velo]

Just makes a few comments? If only .... And I'm not sure he 'lets the music play', since we all too frequently have small chunks or movements rather than complete works. I wonder if that's why he avoids late nineteenth-century composers, too -- they tended to spread themselves. And as for all those 18th-century nonentities ...

Well, you said there was room for all opinions. I do tend to get dyspeptic over the sainted Donald ...

Generally I find DM a fine presenter. However, he does lay it on with a trowel at the first sign of any impending disaster for our hero. The voice goes down an octave into a reverential hush, and we know, don't we dear listener, that all the good times are about to come crashing to an end. It's as if during Ophelia's mad scene a stagehand held up a placard, saying "This bit is really sad so you might need your hankies at the ready".

A good example this week was when DM spoke of the death of Purcell as if it were the C17th equivalent of Princess Di, with the whole country in mourning. The fact is 36 was about the average lifespan in the 17th century. Sad? Undoubtedly. But a nation weeps? Please.

[Simon]

...DM spoke of the death of Purcell as if it were the C17th equivalent of Princess Di, with the whole country in mourning. The fact is 36 was about the average lifespan in the 17th century. Sad? Undoubtedly. But a nation weeps? Please.

Well I don't want to get too heavy about this, but in defence of HP I think that is under-egging it a bit. Communication was such in those days that the whole nation was unlikely to be in mourning, of course, but his reputation was great and his success in so many fields of music - theatre, church, song and instrumental - so widely known that certainly in and around London there was a profound degree of sadness and regret at the death of such a master.

One only needs to look at where he is buried to realise the respect in which he must have been held. And if that doesn't convince, surely his epitaph will: 'Here lyes Henry Purcell Esq., who left this life and is gone to that blessed place where only his harmony can be exceeded'.

[eighthobstruction]

I shoulkd imagine most of the PEOPLE were more worried about BREAD....Bread Riots across country....King George pelted with stones as Bread Riots continue....leading to.... Parliament passes the Treasonable Practices Act and the Seditious Meetings Act prohibiting assemblies of more than fifty people....most PEOPLE would never have even heard of Purcell....

[ardcarp]

couldn't we just occasionally have someone different from Donald Macleod ?

Be careful what (or rather whom) you wish for, JELL.

[JFLL]

Be careful what (or rather whom) you wish for, JELL.

True, he's better than Sarah Walker's cat.

[David-G]

Sorry, I just can't see why everyone, apparently without exception, thinks COTW is such a GOOD THING.

Because generally it is an excellent programme.

[David-G]

I shoulkd imagine most of the PEOPLE were more worried about BREAD....Bread Riots across country....King George pelted with stones as Bread Riots continue....leading to.... Parliament passes the Treasonable Practices Act and the Seditious Meetings Act prohibiting assemblies of more than fifty people....most PEOPLE would never have even heard of Purcell....

Isn't all this a little anachronistic?

[Simon]

Isn't all this a little anachronistic?

Not the adjective I'd have chosen, perhaps. But given who posted it, I decided not to bother.

[JFLL]

Because generally it is an excellent programme.

Well, that's the received wisdom I don't 100% share. It used to be better when there was a variety of presenters, in my view.

[salymap]

I've never forgotten attending a semi-dramatized performance of the complete 'King Arthur' when very young.

I still remember, was it- 'The Song of the Cold People'and other parts.? Wish it could be done on BBC 4 with a good cast. Pigs might fly

[eighthobstruction]

Isn't all this a little anachronistic?

It's chronogical....

[Simon]

It's chronogical....

Behold, no lo.

[eighthobstruction]

Behold, no lo.

Behold Si lo....you are right....sorry....

[Simon]

Behold Si lo....you are right....sorry....

Worry not, 8thO. Even Homer sometimes nodded...

[eighthobstruction]

Not for a whole century though ....