"There is something about Purcell's music that has always appealed to me. The way his text is laid under the music is unique to him and to me it is very moving.The performance's on this disk are first rate and the music is well chosen. I know "Come, ye sons of art" is done almost too often, but this is a very good performance and one simply needs to hear this work every now and again. I am a sucker for a fine ground bass and "Strike the viol" seems to justify the whole form for me.The funeral music is very moving. It is sad that the celebratory music of "Come, ye sons of Art", written for Queen Mary should need to be followed only eight months later with her funeral music when she became a victim of smallpox. And worse, that Purcell's genius should be cut off by his own death only a few months after his patron Queen was laid to rest.I believe you can find a great deal to enjoy in this disk."
Purcell At His Finest
T. P. Phillips | Pittsford, NY | 08/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ironically, Purcell would die shortly after writing two of his finest works; one being the birthday ode, and the other, the royal funeral for Queen Mary II. The Continuo and Brass Ensemble performance make these choral works particularly enjoyable. "Come Ye Sons Of Art" was performed at the Berkshire Choral Festival this past summer."
Very nice performance
Obi | SLC, UT | 03/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Come Ye Sons of Art" has always been one of my favorites by Purcell. Gardiner's group does an excellent job in performing this wonderful music. "Strike the Viol" has always been one of my favorite little Purcell gems with the beautiful recorder contrasting to the bass line. The cheerful "See Nature Rejoicing" ends the birthday music on a sprite and happy note.
The melancholy music for the Queen's funeral is quite profound and moving. "In the Midst of Life" is a very powerful song that gives images of the spirit of the dead queen rising to heaven. I wish Purcell had not died so young because his works are remarkable but more rare than I would like. Very nice music."
Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary - Gardiner Purcell
Peter Kunkel | Lawrenceville, IL. USA | 04/05/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Everything I know about classical music I learned in one single class at high school over thirty years ago. Last week a dear friend of mine passed away. It was left to me to make the arrangements. In this new 21st century most funeral homes allow the "Grieved" to bring music of their own choice on CD for the services. For you younger reviewers let me tell you this is really convenient. At 53 I've put on 3 funerals in the last 2 years. My pal Jim simply loved "Clockwork Orange", kept his own DVD copy (even traveled with it!). So "Funeral of Queen Mary" was a "no-brainer". For "Jim's Show", we started with Bach on G-string, moved to Rolling Stones then Grateful Dead and finally closed with tracks 10 thru 18 of this CD (runs about 20min). We made it to our local watering hole for the wake in a little over an hour (start to finish). Considering our circumstances, "A splendid time was had by all..." THANKYOU PETER KUNKEL LAWRENCEVILLE, ILLINOIS."