Henry Purcell - King Arthur / Any recommendation ?

Amazon.de do not pass go, do not collect €200, go straight to one-click

Simply, something to go on the what to save in the event of fire list

that was simple. ordered. looking forward to it.

quote:

Originally posted by sjust:
that was simple. ordered. looking forward to it.

Stefan,

I am probably late but look at the price on Amazon US:

http://www.amazon.com/Purcell-McFadden-Padmore-Florissa...id=1192404006&sr=1-2

Haim

Thanks, Haim, not too late - I had ordered the Cayman version for around 17 EUR, so in the same ball park...

Haim and Huw, you were so right ! CD set flew in from Cayman, today, and it's a real revelation. Can't get enough of "What Power art thou". Anyone familiar with that last scene in the Ariane Mnouchkine movie of Moliere's life, where Moliere runs up that stairway, dying, spitting blood, along to exactly this piece of music ? One of the most moving scenes in cinema, for me.

Thanks for pointing me to THIS !

Stefan - this is a great version, I can't find the other version I have which is / was on Argo. Vinyl LP played to death - English orchestra and conductor. Was at least 25, if not 30, years ago and grey matter not helping. Certainly doesn't appear to be on CD at the moment.

You must also try Dido and Aeneas or the Faerie Queen

Still on CD

I have this older coupling, and can definately vouch for the quality of it, though the bigger boned sound world of a collection of modern instruments recorded very nicely forty or fifty years ago may appeal less to those weaned on the leaner HIP sound prevalent today. I am glad that this old pair of recordings is still about. For me it is the tops!

King Arthur was the first music I played for a fee, many years ago, for a production by the Hereford Cathedral School! Only about eight strings, but it was splendid!

ATB from George

quote:

You must also try Dido and Aeneas or the Faerie Queen

can u please say a little more? i am interested. i have quite a few Purcells in my collection, (mostly on Hyperion) but i dont have this. i also dont have this King Arthur -- but just checked on Amazon and there is one for £34! is it that special?

enjoy
ken

The rosette collection version is an older recording but mid-price. Start there!

quote:

Originally posted by Huwge:
The rosette collection version is an older recording but mid-price. Start there!

Huwge, many thanks

enjoy
ken

ken, as said earlier in this thread: Get the King Arthur via Cayman (or alike), and you'll pay in the area of 12 Pounds. Worth every penny...

Agreed it is worth every penny.

quote:

You must also try Dido and Aeneas or the Faerie Queen

Also picked up a copy of Dido and Aeneas. This is also excellent.

I have it on my ipod (shrug...) and it gets played a lot, Mark !