Purcell - Fairy Queen - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Album Tracks 1. Sonata Seconda (From Il Primo Libro de Motetti..., 1624) 2. Passaggio a Solo - Fuga a 2 Corde - Ground, for Ensemble 3. Sonata À 2 ('La Lucina'), for Violin & Harp 4. Sinfonia, for Solo Violin 5. Sonata for Violin & Continuo, Op. 3/4 ('La Castella') 6. Sonata for Violin & Continuo 'La Luciminia Contenta' (From Op. 4) 7. Sonata Prima, for Violin & Continuo, Op. 4 8. Capriccio Per Camera (Canzone Sesta), for Ensemble 9. Sonata Prima Per Violino O Cornetto E Basso 10. Sinfonia No. 2, for Solo Violin 11. Sonata Settima, for Ensemble 12. Sonata Malinconica À Solo, for Ensemble 13. Symphonia Cantabile 1. Aria Sopra Il Caporal Simon, for 2 Violins & Continuo (From Op. 4) 2. Sonata Sopra la Prosperina, for 3 Violins & Continuo, Op. 4/26 3. Perfidia, for 2 Violins & Continuo, G. 65 (Doubtful) 4. Sonata Settima a 3, for Ensemble 5. Corrente, Detta la Pegolotta, for Violin & Continuo, Op. 4 6. Allemanda ('La Guelfa'), for Ensemble 7. Corrente ('L'incognita'), for Ensemble 8. Sonata a Tre ('La Guidoni'), Op. 5 9. Aria Decima Terza Sopra 'Questa Bella Sirena' 10. Scordatura (Ciacona), for Violin 11. Sonata Da Chiesa No. 12, for Ensemble 12. Variazioni a 2 Sull Aria Di Bergamasca', for Violin & Ensemble 13. Ricercar for Cello Solo No. 1 in G minor 14. Sonata Da Chiesa No. 10, for Violin & Ensemble 15. Sonata 27 a 3, for Ensemble 16. Sonata 27 a 3, for Ensemble 17. Aria Sopra 'La Scatola Degli Aghi' (From Op. 4)

Purcell's The Fairy Queen is based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, a play not frequently performed in the late 17th century, nor very well regarded (Inchthe most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my lifeInch - Samuel Pepys' diary, 1662). Despite this, the play would go on to work well within an opera, as the characters of Pyramus and Thisbe could conjure up singing and dancing accomplices. Purcell's masterful composition, Gabrieli's first-class performance, and McCreesh's superb interpretation demonstrate why their recordings are seen as some of the best in classical music today. Gabrieli are world-renowned interpreters of great vocal and instrumental repertoire, from the Renaissance to the present day. Founded by Paul McCreesh in 1982, Gabrieli have both outgrown and remained true to their original identity whilst the ensemble's repertoire has expanded beyond any expectation, McCreesh's ever-questioning spirit, expressive musicianship and a healthy degree of iconoclasm remain constant and are reflected in the ensemble's dynamic performances. Gabrieli's repertoire includes major works of the oratorio tradition, virtuosic a cappella programmes and mold-breaking reconstructions of music for historical events. Above all, Gabrieli aims to create thought-provoking performances which stand out from the crowd. Album Tracks 1. Prelude 2. Hornpipe 3. Air 4. Rondeau 5. Overture 6. Act I 7. Prelude & Song 8. Scene of the Drunken Poet 9. First Act Tune - Jig 10. Act II 11. Prelude & Song 12. Symphony in Imitation of Birds 13. Song 14. Symphony in Imitation of An Echo 15. Chorus 16. Song (Fairy), Chorus & Dance 17. Prelude & Song (Night) 18. Song (Mystery) 19. Prelude & Song (Secrecy) 20. Song (Sleep) 21. Dance for the Followers of the Night 22. Second Act Tune (Air) 23. Act III 24. Prelu

Album Tracks 1. Overture 2. Duet 3. Scene of the Drunken Poet 4. First Act Tune Jig 5. Prelude and Song 6. Prelude 7. Chorus 8. Chorus 9. Solo, Chorus & Dance of Fairies 10. Night 11. Mystery 12. Secresie 13. Sleep 14. Dance for the Followers of Night 15. Prelude, Solo & Chorus 16. Symphony While the Swans Come Forward 17. Dance for the Fairies 18. Dance for the Green Men 19. Song 20. Dialogue Between Coridon and Mopsa 21. Dance for the Haymakers 22. A Nymph 23. Song 1. Symphony 2. An Attendant & Chorus 3. Two Attendants 4. Entry of Phoebus 5. Phoebus 6. Chorus 7. Spring 8. Summer 9. Autumn 10. Winter 11. Chorus 12. Prelude 13. Juno 14. The Plaint 15. Symphony 16. A Chinese Man 17. A Chinese Woman & Chorus 18. A Chinese Man 19. Monkeys' Dance 20. First Woman 21. Second Woman 22. Two Woman 23. Prelude 24. Hymen 25. Two Woman 26. Hymen 27. Chaconne The Grand Dance 28. Trio & Chorus 29. First Musick Prelude 30. First Musick Hornpipe 31. Second Musick Air 32. Second Musick Rondeau 33. Second Act Tune (Air) 34. Fourth Act Tune (Air) 35. Third Act Tune (Hornpipe) 36. Entry Dance