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Track(s) taken from CDH55303

The fatal hour comes on apace, Z421

composer
Orpheus Britannicus II, 1702
author of text

James Bowman (countertenor), The King's Consort, Robert King (conductor)
Recording details: April 1988
Radley College, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Produced by Nicholas Parker
Engineered by Nicholas Parker
Release date: April 1989
Total duration: 3 minutes 41 seconds

Cover artwork: The Duet. Gerard Ter Borch (1617-1681)
The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
 

Other recordings available for download

Susan Gritton (soprano), The King's Consort
The fine setting is probably a late composition of Purcell’s and first appeared in Playford’s second book of Orpheus Britannicus in 1702. The style of the first section is Italianately florid, and the harmony especially rich in colouring the dark sentiments of the anonymous author’s text. Winding melismas abound, emphasizing words such as ‘fatal’, ‘die’, ‘certain misery’, ‘pangs’ and ‘wracks’; the plangent harmony underlying ‘my heart will break’ brings a marvellous sense of desolation to the text. The lilting triple-time arioso ‘Since I for you so much endure’ is ravishing, relishing its melancholy sentiments in gloriously melodic phrases.

from notes by Robert King © 2003

Dans The fatal hour comes on apace, en deux mouvements, Purcell répond au sombre texte par l’une de ses plus belles musiques, toute en illustration imagée et en inventivité mélodico-harmonique.

extrait des notes rédigées par Robert King © 1989
Français: Hypérion

Other albums featuring this work

Purcell: Secular solo songs, Vol. 3
CDA66730Download only
Purcell: The complete secular solo songs
CDS44161/33CDs Boxed set (at a special price) — Download only
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