Track Listings (25) - Disc #1| All Artists: Henry Purcell, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists, Gillian Fisher, Elisabeth Priday, Gilian Ross, Jennifer Smith, Paul Elliott Title: Purcell: King Arthur Members Wishing: 1 Total Copies: 0 Label: Warner Music France Release Date: 5/2/1995 Album Type: Import Genres: Pop, Classical Styles: Vocal Pop, Opera & Classical Vocal, Forms & Genres, Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750) Number of Discs: 2 SwapaCD Credits: 2 UPC: 745099655228 |
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Search - Henry Purcell, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists :: Purcell: King Arthur
 | Henry Purcell, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists Purcell: King Arthur Genres: Pop, Classical
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CD ReviewsGood recording of British baroque music Bryan Park | Philadelphia, PA USA | 05/07/2001 (5 out of 5 stars) "Purcell is a composer well worth listening to. I wouldn't list _King Arthur_ as a "must-have" among Purcell's compositions, but this recording is still a nice addition to one's collection, especially at its budget price. _King Arthur's_ most famous song, of course, is "Fairest Isle", and it's sung gorgeously on this recording. That one song is almost worth the price of the recording. Disc 1 has a running time of 51:45 and Disc 2 has a running time of 39:38. John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists give a well-done, polished performance. I have never been disappointed in any of their recordings, and I have quite a few. Especially if you don't know much about opera or classical music, this would be a good recording to listen to. There's nothing at all intimidating about this recording. I've read the reviews for William Christie's take on _King Arthur_, and I'm sure it's good (I have several recordings by Christie, and he is great.) The main reason to recommend this recording is that it's less expensive than the Christie version." When Myth and Music Meet Jacques COULARDEAU | OLLIERGUES France | 01/29/2002 (5 out of 5 stars) "PuRcell here reaches the level of mythology. He creates a new myth of thE British nation. He uses Arthur, Merlin and all the old beliefs attached to those in order to show how the Christian Britons vanquished the pagan Saxons and created the British nation. This is essential under Queen Mary II to erase all the bad feelings that had accumulated under the Stuart kinds, who have been deprived of their crown, and Cromwell's Commonwealth. The unity of the nation and the legitimacy of the new dynasty can only be established by this new mythology. Just this is an achievement and makes this opera a masterpiece. But it is also a musical masterpiece. We could study every single part of it and show how marvellous it is, creative and innovative. The piece I prefer above all is the third act with the frozen people and the defeat of this frost that has been cast on the world by the black magic of the Saxons by the love of Cupid who little by little revives the frozen people and brings them back to life just like spring comes after winter. The music here is of an unreachable beauty that translates into notes and singing the very core of the dramatic situation. That's when music is no longer an embellishment but becomes a dramatic element of its own. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU" Purcell's King Arthur Katherine Luck | Sussex, U.K. | 12/16/2001 (5 out of 5 stars) "Purcell's opera King Arthur is superbly brought to life by this excellent recording. The English Baroque Players (with period instruments) play beautifully and each of the vocal soloists is excellent. What struck me most, was the variety of dynamics, which along with the character of the music come across very well."
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