COMPOSERS: Bennet,Browne,Coleman,Dowland & Campio,Isham,Jones,Pearce,Pilkington,Purcell,Ravenscroft
LABELS: Teldec
ALBUM TITLE: Collection: Purcell in the Ale House
WORKS: English Part Songs by Ravenscroft, Bennet, Pearce, Browne, Purcell, Isham, Coleman, Pilkington, Jones, Dowland & Campion
PERFORMER: Ian Partridge (tenor); Pro Cantione Antiqua/Mark Brown
CATALOGUE NO: 4509-97993-2 ADD (1980)
Why give this attractive collection a falsely promising title? Of 28 numbers, few are bawdy, only three are by Henry Purcell, and most had been composed before he was born. From a treatise by Thomas Ravenscroft (died c1633) come compositions not only his own but, as the booklet fails to say, by others too. The rounds and other partsongs receive lively unaccompanied all-male performances, with rare lapses in intonation. Eight lute songs are a welcome addition, including such favourites as Thomas Campion‘Never weather-beaten sail’ and (with Ian Partridge as tenor soloist) John Dowland’s ‘Fine knacks for ladies’. Arthur Jacobs
Ravenscroft, Bennet, Pearce, Browne, Purcell, Isham, Coleman, Pilkington, Jones, Dowland & Campio
Why give this attractive collection a falsely promising title? Of 28 numbers, few are bawdy, only three are by Henry Purcell, and most had been composed before he was born. From a treatise by Thomas Ravenscroft (died c1633) come compositions not only his own but, as the booklet fails to say, by others too. The rounds and other partsongs receive lively unaccompanied all-male performances, with rare lapses in intonation.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:16 pm