The Early Music Show - Purcell Symphony Songs

Purcell Weekend Catherine Bott presents highlights from a concert featuring some of Purcell's rarely performed symphony songs and court odes given at London's Wigmore Hall by the ensemble Concordia, with singers Sophie Daneman, James Gilchrist and Roderick Williams. The focus of the recital is mainly on vocal music, which for its sheer quantity and quality is significant. Purcell's solo songs, once mainly used as token warm-up numbers in recitals, are now being explored and relished as never before, and his big dramatic works, full of songs and ensemble numbers, are performed everywhere. But between those two extremes, there is a wealth of duets and trios which are rarely performed today. These ensemble songs by Purcell were once catalogued as chamber cantatas, but in a pleasing symmetry with Purcell's sacred symphony anthems, they are now referred to as symphony songs. Most of these symphony songs were found in a manuscript in the composer's own hand - likely to have been compiled between 1681 and 1690 - which also contains a number of court odes. It is believed that they were originally performed in the royal apartments at Whitehall Palace - most likely by the King's Private Music - a specially chosen group of favourite singers and instrumentalists. Purcell: Oh! What a scene does entertain my sight, Z506 James Gilchrist (tenor) Roderick Williams (baritone) Concordia Mark Levy (director) BBC RECORDING Purcell: Hark how the wild musicians sing, Z542 Sophie Daneman (soprano) James Gilchrist (tenor) Roderick Williams (baritone) Concordia Mark Levy (director) BBC RECORDING Purcell: Hark, Damon hark! Sophie Daneman (soprano) James Gilchrist (tenor) Roderick Williams (baritone) Concordia Mark Levy (director) BBC RECORDING Purcell: Sonata No 9 in F in Four Parts, Z810 (Golden Sonata) Concordia Mark Levy (director) BBC RECORDING Purcell: See where she sits Sophie Daneman (soprano) Roderick Williams (baritone) Concordia Mark Levy (director) BBC RECORDING Purcell: If ever I more riches did desire Sophie Daneman (soprano) James Gilchrist (tenor) Roderick Williams (baritone) Concordia Mark Levy (director) BBC RECORDING.