Dolmetsch Years, Vol.3

What is on this CD? Some of the best music that has ever come out of England. Though not all of the pieces are composed by composers born in England or in Britain. Some musical historians claim that this was a Golden Age for English music. From listening to the excellent music on this CD, superbly performed on period instruments, who am I too argue with such a judgement?

The music on this CD was composed by Pepusch, Purcell, Arne ...
...was born in Germany, moving eventually to England, where he became a firm favourite amongst the music-loving public.

The music composed by Pepusch and included on this CD is his Sinfonia in F, Largo, Allegro, Largo. Presto. The music is performed by two recorders (they were, originally, considered orchestral instruments) two oboes, a viola da gamba and a harpsichord.

Next comes music composed by Henry Purcell. It is ... more

What is on this CD? Some of the best music that has ever come out of England. Though not all of the pieces are composed by composers born in England or in Britain. Some musical historians claim that this was a Golden Age for English music. From listening to the excellent music on this CD, superbly performed on period instruments, who am I too argue with such a judgement?

The music on this CD was composed by Pepusch, Purcell, Arne Woodcock. Pepusch's full name was Johann Christoph Pepusch and he was born in Germany, moving eventually to England, where he became a firm favourite amongst the music-loving public.

The music composed by Pepusch and included on this CD is his Sinfonia in F, Largo, Allegro, Largo. Presto. The music is performed by two recorders (they were, originally, considered orchestral instruments) two oboes, a viola da gamba and a harpsichord.

Next comes music composed by Henry Purcell. It is his Chaconne in F. I have heard some of Purcell's music, but this is the first time that I have come across this particular piece. It is truly delightful, and I am pleased hat I bought this particular CD. The Chaconne in F is performed by recorders, harpsichord and viola da gamba. It consists of the following: Hark! How all Things in one sound Rejoice (The Fairy Queen) Ye gentle Spirits of the Air (The Fairy Queen) and Let the dreadful Engines of eternal Will (Don Quixote). The Fairy Queen was a revue based on a Midsummer Night's Dream, whilst was a part of a longer piece that was unfinished at Purcell's death.

Arne's concerto No 4 in B flat consists of the pieces Con spirito, Minuetto and Giga. The instruments are Organ, oboes and strings. The organ is used to extremely good effect and shows what a virtuoso of an instrument a 'proper' organ can be.

The music by Robert Woodcock is his concert No 5 in D, which consists of Allegro, Largo (Siciniana) and Presto. It is performed by two recorders, strings and a harpsichord.

Although all the pieces were composed by three entirely different composers, and are in totally different styles there is something that marks them out as being of the particular Golden Age of English music. The sleeve notes that come with the CD are excellent and serve as a good primer to the field of music from the English Golden age.

I picked my CD up in a branch of Booksale for £1.99 and I know I had a tremendous bargain.

 

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