From: Margaret Harrison
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Purcell Songs - Rep question
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Fiona Chow wrote:

> Can anyone think of other songs/arias by Purcell that might be equally as
> emotionally moving as Dido's lament?? I am thrilled that other people
> through me, are getting into Purcell, because I think he is great! Now I am
> just checking out other rep that might be possibly as interesting.

As you can maybe tell by my "sig" (the title/first line of a favorite Purcell song), I'm a
major Purcell fan. His music is so interesting, and rewarding to work on, musically and
vocally. I adore what he does with rhythm, word-painting, bass lines, melody, harmony -
you name it.

There are four small International edition volumes of his songs/arias in high and low
voice. If you like Purcell, that would be a good investment - they're not expensive.
There's not a dud in the bunch, but you can pick out the music that works best in your
voice, or that suits your mood at a particular time.

Here are a few of my favorites and what I like about them:

The soprano aria from The Fairy Queene, "Hark the Echoing Air" (check out the Cupids
clapping their wings - gets a laugh out of the audience every time)
The song, "I attempt from love's sickness" - wonderful text ("I attempt from love's
sickness to fly in vain/For I am myself my own fever and pain") and I adore what Purcell
does with "fly"
Music for a While - great tune, incredible ground bass, superb word painting;
"What Can We Poor Females Do" for it's jaunty tune and fun text (also in a wonderful
soprano/mezzo duet arrangment by Britten);

There's a very nice CD that came out a few years ago by Sylvia McNair, which has most of
the Purcell songs, with Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient music, both
accompanying and performing instrumental works by Purcell. The CD also has great
background information on the music, which can be very helpful, and I found information
there that eluded me in library research.

Peggy

--
Margaret Harrison, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
"Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile"
mailto:peggyh-at-ix.netcom.com