Search - Purcell :: Sonatas & Cantatas

Mr. Purcell the Younger, Italian'd

J. M. Marks | Baltimore, Maryland USA | 02/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a splendid recording. The playing is first - rate and the repertoire engaging. Daniel Purcell (Henry's younger brother) deserves to be far better known than he is. The contrast between traverso and recorder in the trio sonatas is fascinating, as is the variety of continuo instruments used. I only have two complaints about this album. The anthem "My God, My God, Look Upon Me" would have benefited from a more thorough understanding of English church music traditions - it probably shouldn't be sung by a female soprano at all, no matter how lovely her voice. The other, more general fault is with Laura Crescini's English diction. It is very obvious that Ms. Crescini does not speak the language, and from the opening "shee - perds" on, the words are often quite odd and sometimes sound like a new language altogether. One would expect this from an operatic performer, but I expect better from an Early Music specialist. Nonetheless, the singing is otherwise quite fine and at times almost stunning. I hope that we will hear more from Les Tresors D'Orphee and, most certainly, from Daniel Purcell as his works become better known."