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The greatest countertenor of today, Andreas Scholl returns to the Decca label with a recording of vocal jewels by the great baroque composer, Henry Purcell. This is Andreas Scholl's first ever recording of the music of Purcell and his uniquely beautiful voice is perfectly suited to the English composer's plangent melodies. The album includes pieces written for the stage, the church and the private chamber, some of which Andreas Scholl has sung in recital for many years, and some he sings for the first time.
Andreas Scholl's long-standing collaborators, ‘Accademia Bizantina’ bring out the Italian influence in Purcell's instrumental writing, and contribute orchestral items to the programme. 'O Solitude' is Andreas Scholl's first Decca album since the chart-topping ‘Handel: Arias For Senesino' in 2006.
The album includes the well known lament 'When I Am Laid In Earth' - recently voted the UK's No.1 favourite aria in a BBC Radio 3 poll - written for the character of Dido in Purcell's opera, Dido and Aeneas.
Andreas Scholl is joined for two duets by French countertenor Christophe Dumaux.
If music be the food of love
Come ye sons of art - Sound the Trumpet
Come, ye sons of art, away (1694) Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary II - Strike the viol, touch the lute
Chacony, Z628
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 5 - Fairest Isle
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3 - What Power art thou?
Chacony in G minor Z730
The Fairy Queen / Act 2 - One Charming Night
Pausanius, the Betrayer of his Country. (1695), Z585 - original version - Sweeter Than Roses
Dido and Aeneas / Act 3 - When I Am Laid In Earth - Dido's Lament)
The Gordian Knot Untied - Music For The Gordian Knot Unty'd
Ode for St Cecilia's Day, "Welcome to all the pleasures", Z339 - original version - Here The Deities Approve
Oedipus - Music For A While, Z583
O dive custos Auriacae domus, Z504
O Solitude, My Sweetest Choice, Z.406
Pavan in G minor, Z.752
An Evening Hymn, Z 193
January 2011
*****
“Ethereal yet visceral, Scholl's voice is the dream vehicle for Purcell...Stefano Montanari coaxes thrilling playing from Accademia Bizantina, who dance and swagger, throb and pulsate with true Latin passion. Their continuo realisations - here delicate and intimate, there audaciously jazzy - are an unceasing delight.”
13th January 2011
****
“that famously otherworldly tone [is] often breathtakingly in evidence...His decision to tackle Dido's lament has generated controversy: in fact, his performance is extraordinarily haunting...O Dive Custos is arguably the disc's high point. The Academia Bizantina, meanwhile, are on fine form for Stefano Montanari”
21st January 2011
*****
“Scholl understands the importance of words and remains the countertenor of choice: it’s not so much the intelligence and grace that make his artistry so instantly recognisable, as the hypnotically soothing quality of his voice...Among the many joys of this exceptional recital are the accompaniments by Accademia Bizantina.”
22nd January 2011
****
“Few counter-tenors maintain the width of repertoire or vocal acumen of this artist...his Cold Song from “King Arthur” [is] a shivering, juddering triumph, and the entire package pleases.”
March 2011
“his way with words has strengthened...the two countertenors combine marvellously in O dive custos”
March 2011
****
“There's no doubt about the theatrical intent driving Scholl's interpretations and the flamboyant work of Italian period instrument band, Accademia Bizantina. The latter's lively continuo group and multi-hued sounds certainly catch the full flavour...few singers...can match him for style and intelligent musicianship in this repertoire.”
April 2011
“[The disc] contains much in the way of sympathetic vocal and instrumental colouring, not to mention some very fine singing and playing, full-stop...Stefano Montanari's stylish violin-playing [in Fairest Isle], as elsewhere, is a treat in itself...Scholl [brings] an animated, urgent quality to his performance, the tone rich and resonant, the diction razor-sharp.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
If music be the food of love
