Robert King, The King's Consort - Henry Purcell: Royal Odes (2021)

Posted By: ArlegZ

Date: Jan. 14, 2024

The present recording was accomplished in 2020 by socially distanced musicians, and director Robert King puts things in perspective, observing in his notes that Henry Purcell lived through the London plague of 1665, during which 15 percent of the city's population perished. Chalk the intensity of this performance up to the musicians' joy at being able to come together to make music once again, or simply to the long experience of King and his King's Consort of 30 years; this is a Purcell release of rare skill and exuberance. The enjoyment begins with the repertory. These three Royal Odes were pieces for birthday celebrations, one for King James II and two for Queen Mary. They are extraordinary pieces, and they're inexplicably not often heard. One of the few recordings of the Royal Odes as a group, in fact, came from King and the King's Consort almost 30 years before the appearance of this album. The odes are packed not only with great Purcell tunes but with striking formal freedoms that reveal themselves anew the more one listens. The opening solo words, "Why are all the Muses mute," are unusual in a genre that called for an imposing instrumental opening. There are large polyphonic pieces that sound Handelian, as well as an irresistible round ("Her hero to whose conduct"), a nifty incorporation of fanfares into an ensemble context in the Symphony of Welcome, glorious morn, and much more. It's all rendered by a state-of-the-art small ensemble (one per part, defensible in this chamber music) of historical instruments and by a nearly all-star group of soloists headed by soprano Carolyn Sampson and countertenor Iestyn Davis, all in fine form. Despite the challenges of pandemic restrictions, the sound, from Fairfield Halls in Croydon, UK, is perfectly balanced. An extraordinary Purcell album to which one will return over and over.
–James Manheim

Performer:
The King's Consort
Carolyn Sampson, Emily Owen, Lisa Beckley, Gwendolen Martin, soprano
Iestyn Davies, Hugh Cutting, countertenor
Charles Daniels, David de Winter, tenor
Matthew Brook, Edward Grint, bass
Robert King, conductor

Tracklist:
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Why, why are all the Muses mute?, Z343
01. Why, why are all the Muses mute?
02. Sympnony
03. When should each sould exalted be
04. Britain, thou now art great
05. Look up, and to our isle returning see
06. Accursed rebellion reared his head
07. So Jove, scarce settled in his sky
08. Minuet - Caesar, for milder virtues
09. The many headed beast is quelled
10. In the equal balance laid
11. O, how blest is the isle
Now does the glorious day appear, Z332
12. Symphony
13. Now does the glorious day appear
14. Not any one such joy could bring
15. This does our fertile isle with glory crown
16. Now does the glorious day appear
17. It was a work of full as great a weight
18. By beauteous softness mixed with majesty
19. Her hero to whose conduct
20. Our dear religion, with our law's defence
21. No more shall we the great Eliza boast
22. Now, now with one united voice
Welcome, welcome, glorious morn, Z338
23. Symphony
24. Welcome, welcome, glorious morn
25. At thy return the joyful earth
26. Welcome as when three happy kingdoms strove
27. The mighty goddess of this wealthy isle
28. Full of wonder and delight
29. And lo, a sacred fury - To lofty strains
30. My prayers are heard - I see the round years
31. He to the field by honour called shall go
32. Whilst undisturbed his happy consort reigns
33. Shound, all ye spheres

EAC LOG

Exact Audio Copy V1.6 from 23. October 2020

EAC extraction logfile from 3. January 2024, 23:21

The King's Consort, Robert King / Purcell - Royal Odes

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Extraction speed 2.3 X
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Test CRC 6DF6938C
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Thanks to the original releaser

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