Odes to Saint Cecila

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The odes that Purcell wrote for annual concerts in honor of St. Cecilia (the patron saint of music) are among his most celebrated works. Chief among them is Hail! Bright Cæcilia, which calls for the "Warb'ling Lute ... airy Violin ... Am'rous Flute," and all the Harmony of War," along with chorus and a bevy of soloists, to demonstrate their prowess. Choosing between this performance and Paul McCreesh's equally fine version on DG isn't easy. McCreesh has a stronger chorus, quicker tempos and energy to burn; what the more deliberate Philippe Herreweghe loses in excitement, he gains in grace and his soloists (the stronger set) get more space for musical and rhetorical nuance. Herreweghe finishes the disc with an earlier Cecilian ode, the sprightly Welcome to all the pleasures. --Matthew Westphal

Odes to Saint Cecila, Music, Henry Purcell, Philippe Herreweghe, Choral, Classical, Classical Vocals, Ode

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