Search - H. Purcell, Kevin Mallon, Aradia Ensemble :: Purcell: Theatre Music Vol. 1

Fine Performances of this Most Gifted of Melodists

Doug - Haydn Fan | California | 10/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kevin Mallon, a fine conductor well versed in Baroque performance practice here leads selections from the theater music of Henry Purcell. Fans of the composer will be delighted with the excellent playing of this potpourri, while anyone less familiar with this composer's music should be well pleased with Purcell's mature writing - he is unquestionably one of the greatest song writers in history, and unlike so much of Baroque music, his music is forever distinctive and filled to bursting with individuality.



The selections here consist of quite a variety, with orchestra music for small groups intermixing with solo and duet vocal selections. The opening piece, Amphitryon, is incidental music to a play by Dryden. There is a classic Purcell overture, dances of every variety, including a hornpipe, and airs for a soprano - women being allowed back in the English theater after the restoration of Charles II. The piece closes with a very long, heavenly duet between a begging Thyrsis and his coy Iris.



Following a short selection used for a comedy, Mallon leads his Canadian ensemble in the famous music to the Gordian Knot Unty'd. This contains Purcell famous Chaconne, along with a number of instrumental airs and dances incorporated into a suite.



The CD closes with music from a tragedy, Circe, and we hear six numbers Purcell wrote, for instrument, soloists and choir.



Throughout these selections Mallon keeps up a brisk pace, and his soloists are generally quite good with a couple of exceptions. The sound favors the orchestra, but not too much so.



One of the supreme composers of Western Music, Purcell's melodic gifts and sense of life are infectious and endearing. Few composers better reward listening.



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