Art of Counter Tenor [Import]

Track Listings

1. Handel - Semele - Aria- -Hymen, Haste, They Torch Prepare-

2. Handel - Semele - Aria- -Your Tuneful Voice My Tale Would Tell-

3. Handel - Semele - Aria- -Despair No More Shall Wound Me-

4. Handel - Messiah - Aria- -But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming-

5. Handel - Messiah - Aria- -Thou Art Gone Up On High-

6. SchÜTz - -Auf Dem Gebirge Hat Man Ein Geschrei GehÖRet-

7. Bach, J.S. - Mass In B-Minor- 10. Aria -Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris-

8. Bach, J.S. - Mass In B-Minor- 26. Aria -Agnus Dei-

9. Bach, J.S. - St. Matthew Passion- 39. Aria -Erbarme Dic, Mein Gott-

10. Bach, J.S. - St. Matthew Passion- 60. Aria -Sehet, Jesus Hat Die Hand-, Chorus- -Wohin--

11. Bach, J.S. - St. John Passion- 7. Aria -Von Den Stricken Meiner SÜNden-

12. Bach, J.S. - St. John Passion- 30. Aria -Es Ist Vollbracht-

13. Bach, J.S. - Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben- 3. Aria -SchÄMe Dich, O Seele, Nicht-

14. Bach,J.S. - Lass FÜRstin, Lass Noch Einen Strahl- 5. Aria -Wie Sarb Die Heldin So VergnÜGt-

15. Bach, J.S. - Actus Tragicus- 3a. Arioso -In Deine HÄNde Befehl Ich Meinen Geist-

16. Purcell - Come Ye Sons Of Art, Away (Ode For The Birthday Of Queen Mary Ii)- -Sound The Trumpet, So

17. Purcell - Of Old, When Heroes Thought It Base (The Yorkshire Feast Song)-

18. Purcell - Of Old . . . - -Sound, Trumpets, Sound-

19. Vivaldi - Nisi Dominus- Nisi Dominus (Allegro)

20. Vanum Est Vobis (Largo)

See all 42 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-09-21

This is really an interesting group of songs; most by Henry Purcell, but one by Pelham Humfrey, three by John Blow and one by David Purcell. The Continuo Song-scored for one or more solo voices with theorbo or harpsichord accompaniment- was perhaps the most universal musical genre in late 17th century England. The roots of the genre lay in the early 17th century lute song,from which it gradually developed during the 1630's. The modern term "counter-tenor" denotes an adult male singing in the falsetto voice. Ryland Angel and Mark Chambers are very well matched for these duets. Their tone quality is similar but not so much so that you cannot discern their individual voices. Their sound is well suited to the song material, some of which are also sung as solos. The duets are:'Sound the trumpet'( a great favorite of countertenors)-'In vain the am'rous flute'-'No resistance is but vain'- 'o Dive custos'- all by Purcell. 'Ah Heaven what is't I hear?'-'Quam diligo legen tuam'-'Paratum cor meum' all by John Blow. Each singer sings 4 solos all very attractive and well done!!!!

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-09-11

This is really an interesting group of songs most by Henry Purcell, but one by Pelham Humfrey, three by John Blow and one by Daniel Purcell. The Continuo Song-scored for one or more solo voices with theorbo or harpsichord accompaniment-was perhaps the most universal musical genre in late seventeenth- century England. The roots of the genre lay in the early seventeenth-century lute song, from which it gradually developed during the 1630's. The modern term 'counter-tenor' denotes an adult male singing falsetto. Ryland Angel and Mark Chambers are very well matched for their duets. Their tone quality is similar but not so much that you can't define their individual voices. Their sound is very well suited to the song material, some of which are also solos. The duets are as follows:"Sound the Trumpet"( a favorite among most counter-tenors)-"In vain the am'rous flute"-"O Dive custos"-"No resistance is but vain" all of which are by Purcell-"Ah heaven!What is't I hear?"-"Quam diligo legem tuam"-"Paratum cor meum" all of which are by John Blow. Each singer does four solos all very attractive and extremely well done. This is one of my favorite often played albums. It's so pleasant to listen to and skillfully sung.

Average customer rating:

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a voice teacher and early music fan
Still my favourite countertenor!

Art of Counter Tenor
Michael Chance
Manufacturer: Archiv/Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Countertenor Duets by Purcell and Blow
Cantatas for Solo Countertenor
A Basic Countertenor Method

ASIN: B000026BFN
Release Date: 1999-02-25

Tracks:

Handel - Semele - Aria- -Hymen, Haste, They Torch Prepare-
Handel - Semele - Aria- -Your Tuneful Voice My Tale Would Tell-
Handel - Semele - Aria- -Despair No More Shall Wound Me-
Handel - Messiah - Aria- -But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming-
Handel - Messiah - Aria- -Thou Art Gone Up On High-
Schz - -Auf Dem Gebirge Hat Man Ein Geschrei Gehet-
Bach, J.S. - Mass In B-Minor- 10. Aria -Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris-
Bach, J.S. - Mass In B-Minor- 26. Aria -Agnus Dei-
Bach, J.S. - St. Matthew Passion- 39. Aria -Erbarme Dic, Mein Gott-
Bach, J.S. - St. Matthew Passion- 60. Aria -Sehet, Jesus Hat Die Hand-, Chorus- -Wohin--
Bach, J.S. - St. John Passion- 7. Aria -Von Den Stricken Meiner Sden-
Bach, J.S. - St. John Passion- 30. Aria -Es Ist Vollbracht-
Bach, J.S. - Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben- 3. Aria -Sche Dich, O Seele, Nicht-
Bach,J.S. - Lass Fstin, Lass Noch Einen Strahl- 5. Aria -Wie Sarb Die Heldin So Vergnt-
Bach, J.S. - Actus Tragicus- 3a. Arioso -In Deine Hde Befehl Ich Meinen Geist-
Purcell - Come Ye Sons Of Art, Away (Ode For The Birthday Of Queen Mary Ii)- -Sound The Trumpet, So
Purcell - Of Old, When Heroes Thought It Base (The Yorkshire Feast Song)-
Purcell - Of Old . . . - -Sound, Trumpets, Sound-
Vivaldi - Nisi Dominus- Nisi Dominus (Allegro)
Vanum Est Vobis (Largo)
Surgite (Presto-Adagio)
Cum Dederit (Largo-Andante)
Sicut Sagittae ({Resto-Allegro)
Beatus Vir (Andante)
Gloria Patri (Larghetto)
Sicut Erat In Principio
Amen (Allegro)
Vivaldi - Stabat Mater-Stabat Mater (Largo)
Suius Animam (Adagissimo)
O Quam Tristis (Andante)
Quis Est Homo (Largo)
Quis Non Posset (Adagissimo)
Pro Peccatis (Andante)
Eja Mater (Largo)
Fac T Ardeat (Lento)
Amen (Allegro)
Salve Regina- Salve Regina (Andante)
Ad Te Clamamus (Allegro)
Ad Te Suspiramus (Larghetto)
Eja Ergo (Allegro)
Et Jesum (Andante Molto)
O Clemens (Andante)

Customer Reviews:

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-01-12

BREATHTAKING, awe-inspiring, magnificent, amazing, stunning, staggering, imposing, stirring, impressive; formidable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It does not get better that that!!!!!!!!!!!

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-01-02

What an appropriate name for this very fine 2 disc album!!!!For it is in every respect an art to develop the male falsetto voice to the point where it can be dignified as a countertenor. The comparison that many critics, "experts" and historians make to the early castrati singers can only be tolerated to the point that the sound may be similar, certainly not the method of tone production. It also tends to confuse the listener who is not into the history of it all. All men have a falsetto voice BUT not all men can produce an acceptable sound with it. Just as in any other voice the ability and the talent must be there. English choirs have used male altos for centuries and England certainly did not practise castraton EVER!!!. When Handel produced his operas in London the castrati singers were all imports, mostly Italian. There is at the present time a 'revival' of early music and countertenors are very much involved. By the way each soloist refers to himself in whatever terms are acceptable at the time. They can be programmed as male altos, falsettists, contraltos and /or sopranists (those with a higher range). Whats in a name!!!!!!There are countertenors who are 'poor' are 'mediocre' are 'good' and are GREAT, and that's where Michael Chance comes in. Not only do we have a superb voice, but combine it with an almost phenominal musicality and vast experience;and it all adds up to a listening experience rarely heard.Michael Chance is and will always remain the only countertenor with the ability to get inside every song he sings no matter what genre it is. And this double CD demonstrates this so well. It is a compilation of his song material dating from l985 to approximately 1999. CD1 includes selections from Handel's "Messiah" and his opera "Semele"; Heinrich Schutz's "Auf dem Gebige hat man ein Geschrei gehoret" which is a countertenor duet with Ashley Stafford being the other countertenor; 2 selections from Bach's B minor mass; 2 selections from St. Matthew Passion as well as from St. John Passion; and 3 selections from Bach cantatas; Purcell's "Sound the trumpet, sound" a countertenor duet with Timothy Wilson being the other countertenor and Purcell's "the pale and the purple rose" and "Sound,trumpets, sound" both of which are from "The Yorkshire Feast Song". What a wonderful vatiety of songs Chance has chosen for this first CD!!!CD2 includes Vivaldi's "Nisi Dominus";Stsbat Mater" and "Salve Regina". All of this great music sung by the world's greatest countertenor. I would list some highpoints, but it would be too difficult because it's all incredibly lovely and demonstrates Chance's uncanny ability to give back to you in a most satisfying manner what the composers was trying to say!!!!

Still my favourite countertenor!.......2004-04-10

Countertenors have always been an acquired taste but they've recently become increasingly popular, especially after the flow of numerous newcomers and the early music movement. Many of the newcomers have stunning abilities in terms of agility and high notes. I however haven't yet heard a more bewitching countertenor than Michael Chance.

This two disc collection represents him wonderfully. I've always found Chance's sound particularly affective in Oratorios, cantatas and English songs rather than opera but the Handel opera arias chosen here suit him well. The Bach moments however, are my favourites. I've just watched him on a video performance of St. Matthew's Passion and he's equally magnificent live as on disc. Erbarme Dich Mein Gott and Agnus Dei (from Mass in B Minor) are simply breathtaking! It sounds as if these were written especially for him.

The countertenor voice has a history stretching back at least to the Middle Ages. Henry Purcell, the pre-eminent composer of 17th century Britain was a countertenor himself and wrote many songs for this type of voice. These suit Chance like a glove. In fact, most selections here have been chosen with great care and show Chance at his best.

Even if there are countertenors with higher notes and greater agility around, Chance's, eloquence and pure sound remain unequalled in these selections.

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1. Handel - Semele - Aria- -Hymen, Haste, They Torch Prepare-
2. Handel - Semele - Aria- -Your Tuneful Voice My Tale Would Tell-
3. Handel - Semele - Aria- -Despair No More Shall Wound Me-
4. Handel - Messiah - Aria- -But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming-
5. Handel - Messiah - Aria- -Thou Art Gone Up On High-
6. SchÜTz - -Auf Dem Gebirge Hat Man Ein Geschrei GehÖRet-
7. Bach, J.S. - Mass In B-Minor- 10. Aria -Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris-
8. Bach, J.S. - Mass In B-Minor- 26. Aria -Agnus Dei-
9. Bach, J.S. - St. Matthew Passion- 39. Aria -Erbarme Dic, Mein Gott-
10. Bach, J.S. - St. Matthew Passion- 60. Aria -Sehet, Jesus Hat Die Hand-, Chorus- -Wohin--
11. Bach, J.S. - St. John Passion- 7. Aria -Von Den Stricken Meiner SÜNden-
12. Bach, J.S. - St. John Passion- 30. Aria -Es Ist Vollbracht-
13. Bach, J.S. - Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben- 3. Aria -SchÄMe Dich, O Seele, Nicht-
14. Bach,J.S. - Lass FÜRstin, Lass Noch Einen Strahl- 5. Aria -Wie Sarb Die Heldin So VergnÜGt-
15. Bach, J.S. - Actus Tragicus- 3a. Arioso -In Deine HÄNde Befehl Ich Meinen Geist-
16. Purcell - Come Ye Sons Of Art, Away (Ode For The Birthday Of Queen Mary Ii)- -Sound The Trumpet, So
17. Purcell - Of Old, When Heroes Thought It Base (The Yorkshire Feast Song)-
18. Purcell - Of Old . . . - -Sound, Trumpets, Sound-
19. Vivaldi - Nisi Dominus- Nisi Dominus (Allegro)
20. Vanum Est Vobis (Largo)