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Track(s) taken from CDA66710

Ah, how pleasant 'tis to love, Z353

composer
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
The Banquet of Musick, 1688
author of text
Anonymous - traditional

Barbara Bonney (soprano), The King's Consort
Recording details: March 1994
Orford Church, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Produced by Ben Turner
Engineered by Philip Hobbs
Release date: March 1994
Total duration: 1 minutes 15 seconds
 

Other recordings available for download

Elizabeth Kenny (lute)

Reviews

‘An auspicious launch to a project that will probably have no real competiton for years to come; I recommend it heartily’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘An exceptional recording with consummate singing and playing which is worthy of pride of place in any vocal collection’ (CDReview)
Ah, how pleasant ’tis to love is a simple, strophic song which was published in the second book of The Banquet of Musick (1688). The lyrics are almost a precis of John Dryden’s ‘Ah, how sweet it is to love’ from his play Tyrannic Love (1670), itself set to music by Purcell for a 1695 revival of the play. Robert Spencer has pointed out melodic similarities with ‘Fear no danger to ensue’ from Dido and Aeneas which may (or, if we accept theories recently presented, may not) date from the same year. The message of the song is straightforward: it is wonderful to be in love. Some people enjoy good living, or build up great fortunes, but the lover needs only his loved one to supply every pleasure.

from notes by Robert King © 2003

Other albums featuring this work

English Lute Songs
Robin Blaze (countertenor), Elizabeth Kenny (lute)
CDH55249
Purcell: The complete secular solo songs
The King's Consort
CDS44161/33CDs Boxed set (at a special price) — Download only

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