The fatal hour comes on apace, Z421

composer

Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Orpheus Britannicus II, 1702

author of text

Anonymous

Recordings

Purcell: Mr Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures

James Bowman (countertenor), The King's Consort, Robert King (conductor)

Buy by post £6.99 CDH55303 Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Purcell: Secular solo songs, Vol. 3

The King's Consort

Buy by post £5.60 CDA66730 Download currently discounted

Purcell: The complete secular solo songs

The King's Consort

Buy by post £20.97 CDS44161/3 3CDs Boxed set (at a special price)

Details

James Bowman (countertenor), The King's Consort, Robert King (conductor)

Track 12 on CDH55303 [3'41] Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

English

Susan Gritton (soprano), The King's Consort

Track 27 on CDA66730 [3'47]

Track 27 on CDS44161/3 CD3 [3'47] 3CDs Boxed set (at a special price)

English

The fatal hour comes on apace, Z421

EnglishFrançais

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.

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Hyperion Records