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‘The Food of Love’, a strongly compelling title for a magnificent programme featuring the best of Purcell’s vocal music, sung by world renowned baroque specialist Paul Agnew.
Paul Agnew is joined by an outstanding group of continuo players led by gambist Anne-Marie Lasla to create a special atmosphere of intimate music-making.
“Agnew’s voice is one of the most searingly expressive in the baroque field.” (Gramophone).
Purcell achieved the near miraculous feat of sounding natural in a heightened dramatic vein, using ornamentation and repetition to place expressive stress on key words. A vibrant tribute to the 350th Anniversary of Purcell’s birth.
Henry Purcell: If music be the food of love, Z. 379c
If music be the food of love, Z. 379c
Henry Purcell: Corinna is divinely fair, Z. 365
Corinna is divinely fair, Z. 365
Henry Purcell: Tyrannic Love, Z. 613, "The Royal Martyr"
Tyrannic Love, Z. 613, "The Royal Martyr": Ah! how sweet it is to love
Henry Purcell: What a sad fate is mine, Z. 428b
What a sad fate is mine, Z. 428b
Henry Purcell: Aureng-Zebe, Z. 573, "The Great Mogul"
Aureng-Zebe, Z. 573, "The Great Mogul": I see she flies me
Francesco Corbetta: Caprice de chacone
Caprice de chacone
Henry Purcell: O solitude, my sweetest choice, Z. 406
O solitude, my sweetest choice, Z. 406
Henry Purcell: Oedipus, King of Thebes, Z. 583
Oedipus, Z. 583: Music for a while
Henry Purcell: Ground in C minor, Z. D221
Ground in C minor, Z. D221
Henry Purcell: Oh! Fair Cedaria, hide those eyes, Z. 402
Oh! Fair Cedaria, hide those eyes, Z. 402
Benjamin Britten: Purcell - 6 Songs (text by H. Heveningham)
Man is for the woman made, Z. 605/3
Henry Purcell: Not all my torments can your pity move, Z. 400
Not all my torments can your pity move, Z. 400
Henry Purcell: On the brow of Richmond Hill, Z. 405
On the brow of Richmond Hill , Z. 405
Henry Purcell: Pious Celinda goes to prayers, Z. 410
Pious Celinda goes to prayers, Z. 410
Henry Purcell: The Prophetess, Z. 627, "The History of Dioclesian"
The Prophetess, Z. 627, "The History of Dioclesian": When first I saw Aurelia's eyes
Christopher Simpson: Prelude in D major (version for viol)
Prelude in D major (version for viol)
Henry Purcell: The History of Timon of Athens, The Man-Hater, Z. 632
The History of Timon of Athens, The Man-Hater, Z. 632: The cares of lovers (Cupid)
Henry Purcell: The fatal hour comes on apace, Z. 421
The fatal hour comes on apace, Z. 421
Henry Purcell: I lov'd fair Celia, Z. 381
I lov'd fair Celia, Z. 381
Henry Purcell: When her languishing eyes said 'Love!', Z. 432
When her languishing eyes said 'Love!', Z. 432
Robert de Visee: Prelude in D minor
Prelude in D minor
Henry Purcell: Thou wakeful shepherd (A Morning Hymn), Z. 198
Thou wakeful shepherd (A Morning Hymn), Z. 198
Christopher Simpson: Prelude in E minor (version for viol)
Prelude in E minor (version for viol)
Henry Purcell: The earth trembled, Z. 197, "On our Saviour's Passion"
The earth trembled, Z. 197, "On our Saviour's Passion"
Henry Purcell: Now that the sun hath veiled his light, Z. 193, "An Evening Hymn on a Ground"
Now that the sun hath veiled his light, Z. 193, "An Evening Hymn on a Ground"
Henry Purcell: If music be the food of love, Z. 379
If music be the food of love, Z. 379a
January 2010
*****
“Paul Agnew's long experience in the realm of French Baroque music makes him particularly sensitive to le goût français, his voice supple enough to realise with exquisite grace the intricate, French-style recitatives and embellishments. In the simpler songs and laments, he croons with the seductive tones of a veritable chanteur de charme. Anne-Marie Lasla, Elizabeth Kenny and Blandine Rannou provide inspired continuo realisations, full of improvisatory flair and theatricality. The rapport between these four musicians lifts the music far beyond the written notes producing a perfect entente cordiale.”
Katie Greening
4th November 2009
“Agnew gets it just right, and the ensemble behind him is flawless. There is the right blend of restraint and subtlety, with emotional guts – try I loved Fair Celia or the heartfelt Solitude with a wonderfully well-judged solo viol...Generally the performances are outstanding – and the idea of breaking up the Purcell songs with instrumental solos inspired.”
January 2010
“…a marvellous anthology of songs by Purcell. …separated by short instrumental pieces by other composers, giving well deserved solo spots to Anne-Marie Lasla and Elizabeth Kenny. If the tone is predominantly sombre, there's relief in "Man is for the woman made", Agnew's cheerful delivery perfectly complemented by a strumming guitar. The Evening Hymn - another ground - ends with a string of "Hallelujahs" that Agnew sings with an appropriate inwardness. ...it's the performances that count: magnificent.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
If music be the food of love, Z. 379c
