Prom 21 (2.08.20) Academy of Ancient Music/Egarr

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The centrepiece of this concert, originally presented to celebrate the 350th anniversary year of Purcell’s birth in 2009 – is an affecting tribute to the composer by his teacher and predecessor as organist of Westminster Abbey, John Blow. It sets Dryden’s poem of the same name, which describes how ‘the lark and linnet sing’ but then fall silent at the appearance of ‘the matchless man, our Orpheus’.

A sequence of Purcell’s solo songs and keyboard pieces and the deeply moving Evening Hymn complete this mix of mellifluous music, performed by English singers Iestyn Davies and Simon Wall. The duo are accompanied by members of the Academy of Ancient Music, led from the harpsichord by their Artistic Director Richard Egarr.

Purcell: Suite in G major – excerpts
Purcell: Hail, Bright Cecelia – ’Tis nature’s voice
Purcell: A New Ground
Purcell: Music for a while
Purcell: Suite in D major – excerpts
Purcell: Sweeter than roses
Blow: Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell
Purcell: Evening Hymn

Iestyn Davies (countertenor)
Simon Wall (tenor)
Members of the Academy of Ancient Music
Richard Egarr (harpsichord/director)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Dryden/Blow setting sounds tempting, though wasn't Dryden the person responsible for the split infinitive debacle?

[bluestateprommer]

Very fine PCM of Purcell, well worth a listen for Purcell fans. Having experienced Iestyn Davies' work in person more recently, thrice within the last 4 years (once in London, twice in NYC), I admit to initially being a tad surprised to see his name on this Prom from 10+ years back. But then that may have been just around the time that his career really started to take off. Suzy Klein was on very good form as presenter from the Cadogan Hall stage, ceding the verbal spotlight to Richard Egarr well.