Purcell: Odes (Come, Ye Sons of Art, Away; Welcome to All the Pleasures; The Yorkshire Feast Song)

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CD Details

Conductor: Trevor Pinnock
Performer: Jennifer Smith
Performer: Elisabeth Priday
Performer: Kym Amps
Performer: Michael Chance
Performer: Timothy Wilson
Performer: John Mark Ainsley
Performer: Michael George
Performer: Stephen Richardson
Performer: Simon Soundstage
Orchestra: The English Concert and Choir
Edition: Music CD
Published: 1989

Music reviews of Purcell: Odes (Come, Ye Sons of Art, Away; Welcome to All the Pleasures; The Yorkshire Feast Song)

Music Review: a voice teacher and early music fan
Rating: 5 Stars

QUEEN MARY SAID: 'LET'S CELEBRATE; SO HENRY YOU COOPERATE' THO HE FOUND IT DEMEANING TO COMPLY, IT REALLY WAS 'DO OR DIE'!
Henry Purcell (1659-1695) looked like a Florentine prince, was hail-fellow-well-met in tavern and taproom, wrote for the church and also for the stage and salon, was in fact a most likeable young man, as well as a "very great Master of Musick." Except for his appointment as organist at the Chapel Royal and other churches, his compositions were the chief events of his life. Henry Purcell invented the English celebratory style in music.

His odes were often written for various groups and annual celebrations. Purcell's ode 'Welcome to all the Pleasures' was composed for an inaugural celebration in 1683 for a group of musicians that made up a so-called "Musical Society".

'Of old, when heroes thought it base', the so-called 'Yorkshire Feast Song',was composed in 1690 for the otherwise obscure annual London gathering of York nobility.

'Come, ye sons of art, away' was the ode for what was to be Queen Mary's last birthday-April 30 1694. It is the least ostentatious of the birthday odes. This ode is a countertenor's dream, for Purcell favours this voice as the soloist throughout. The famous duet recorded by many countertenors "Sound the Trumpet" is in this ode. It is my personal favorite, though I like them all.

You really couldn't have a better performance of this music than is on this disc. The Choir of the English Consort and the English Concert all put together by Trevor Pinnock. The soloists are the best, my favorite being countertenor: Michael Chance with his lovely voice and intelligent delivery of the music AND tenor John Mark Ainsley And bass Michael George who are experts at interpreting the music of Purcell. All other soloists are very good indeed. Such an entertaining disc!!!!!