The Sixteen & Harry Christophers – Royal Welcome Songs for King James II (2017) [Qobuz FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Despite being written for the celebration of royal occasions, Purcells Royal Welcome Songs were penned during a time of immense disillusionment with the monarchy. Filled with humour as well as an ironic detachment from the politics of the time, Ye tuneful muses and Sound the trumpet fizz with the dramatic energy which characterised his later operas and mark a crucial turning point in Purcells career. This programme showcases the variety and diversity of Purcells writing, opening with the Chacony in G minor, which is among the great glories of music for strings, and including When on my sick bed I languish – an amazingly impassioned piece in which he bares his soul…quintessential Purcell!

Tracklist

Henry Purcell (1659-95)
01. Chacony in G Minor, Z.730
02. When On My Sick Bed I Languish, Z.144
03. Catches: No. 45, True Englishmen Drink a Good Health, Z.284
04. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: I. Symphony
05. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: II. “Ye Tuneful Muses, Raise Your Heads”
06. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: III. “This Point of Time Ends All Your Grief”
07. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: IV. “In His Just Praise Your Noblest Songs Let Fall”
08. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: V. “Try, Try Ev’ry Strain”
09. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: VI. “From the Rattling of Drums and the Trumpet’s Loud Sounds”
10. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: VII. “With Him He Brings the Partner of His Throne”
11. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: VIII. “Happy In A Mutual Love”
12. Ye Tuneful Muses Z.344: IX. “Whilst in Music and Verse Our Duty We Show”
13. A New Irish Tune in G Major, Z.646 “Lilliburlero”
14. Hymns and Sacred Songs: Canon a 7, God is Gone Up With a Merry Noise, Z.107
15. A New Scotch Tune in G Major, Z.655
16. Full Anthem “Save Me, Oh God”, Z.51
17. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335: I. Symphony
18. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335: II. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum
19. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335: III. Crown the Year, and Crown the Day
20. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335: IV. To Caesar All Hail, Unequall’d in Arms!
21. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335: V. Let Caesar and Urania Live
22. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335: VI. What Greater Bliss Can Fate Bestow
23. Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drum, Z.335: VII. While Caesar, Like the Morning Star
24. Sound The Trumpet, Beat The Drum, Z.335: VIII. To Urania And Caesar Delights Without Measure