The performances on this disc of Henry Purcell's theatrical music by Toronto's energetic Aradia Ensemble are pleasant but not extraordinary. The novelty is the programming, which brings listeners closer than other releases to the unique quality of this music. Purcell's music for plays contained both pieces that are part of the action and incidental music, often with French dance rhythms. He wrote straight opera and straight instrumental music, but what makes much of his music (such as the strangely named semi-operas) ...
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The performances on this disc of Henry Purcell's theatrical music by Toronto's energetic Aradia Ensemble are pleasant but not extraordinary. The novelty is the programming, which brings listeners closer than other releases to the unique quality of this music. Purcell's music for plays contained both pieces that are part of the action and incidental music, often with French dance rhythms. He wrote straight opera and straight instrumental music, but what makes much of his music (such as the strangely named semi-operas) difficult to get a grip on for modern listeners is that it falls into an intermediate zone that doesn't really exist any longer. As a result, you typically get programs of either vocal or instrumental pieces in this repertory. Irish-Canadian conductor Kevin Mallon solves the problem with this set of excerpts from Purcell's music for four different plays, three of them including both vocal and instrumental pieces. This gives the listener an idea of the larger affinities among Purcell's...
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Add this copy of Purcell: Theatre Music, Vol. 1 to cart. $26.75, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Naxos.
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Henry Purcell. New. New in new packaging. USA Orders only! Brand New product! please allow delivery times of 3-7 business days within the USA. US orders only please.
Add this copy of Purcell: Theatre Music Vol. 1 to cart. $29.47, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Naxos.
