VA — Birthday Odes for Queen Mary (2021) Hi-Res

24bit-96kHz FLAC (tracks) | Classical | 01:17:11 | 1.44 GB

Why are all the Muses mute, for the accession of James II in 1685, is not a strong work, but its arias are transfigured by the bright lyrical tenor voice of Charles Daniels (as in \’O how blest\’), and the elegant, decorous countertenor of Iestyn Davies (\’Britain, thou now art great\’). Both of these tracks have a more leisurely pace than in the earlier recording. In Now Does the Glorious Day Appearfor Queen Mary\’s birthday in 1689 its proximity to Purcell\’s Dido and Aeneas can be heard at various points (especially the ritornello following \’No more shall we\’). The robust drama of the aria \’It was a work\’ is nicely captured by bass Edward Grint, though his vocal production can be a little unfocused. Orchestrally, the rich five-part string textures (such as that following the ravishing aria \’By beauteous softness\’) are performed with clarity and style.

In Welcome Glorious Morn for Queen Mary in 1691 we reach a higher musical level. Both Carolyn Sampson (soprano) and Matthew Brook (bass) suavely maintain their vocal lines against the ingenious but busy aria accompants, and Robert King draws extra sparkle from Purcell\’s pairs of oboes and trumpets.

1. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : Symphony

2. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : Arise, my muse, and to thy tuneful lyre

3. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : Ye sons of music, raise your voices high

4. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : Then sound your instruments

5. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : See how the glitt\’ring ruler of the day

6. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : Hail, gracious Gloriana, hail

7. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : And since the \’s distress

8. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : To quell his country\’s foes

9. The King\’S Consort — Arise, my Muse : But ah, I see Eusebia drown\’d in tears

10. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : Symphony

11. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : Love\’s goddess sure was blind

12. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : Those eyes, that form, that lofty mien

13. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : Sweetness of nature

14. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : Long may she r over this isle

15. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : May her blest example chase

16. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : Many such days may she behold

17. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : May she to heaven late return

18. The King\’S Consort — Love\’s goddess sure : As much as we below shall mourn

19. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Symphony

20. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Opening solos & chorus

21. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Britain, now thy cares beguile

22. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : \’Tis sacred, bid the trumpet cease

23. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Let sullen Discord smile

24. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Crown the altar, deck the shrine

25. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Expected Spring at last is come

26. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : April, who till now has mourned

27. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Departing thus you\’ll hear him say

28. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Happy realm, beyond expressing

29. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : While, for a righteous cause he arms

30. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Return, fond Muse, the thoughts of war

31. The King\’S Consort — Celebrate this festival : Kindly treat Maria\’s day