BBC Proms 2020 Season - A celebration of Henry Purcell [2009] [320kbps .mp3]



In 2020, BBC Radio 3 is bringing together musical greats, from the past and the present, in one extraordinary Proms season. Radio 3 is broadcasting the best of four decades of unmissable Proms concerts.



The centrepiece of this concert – introduced by Suzy Klein and originally presented to celebrate the 350th anniversary year of Purcell’s birth in 2009 – is an affecting tribute to the composer by his teacher and predecessor as organist of Westminster Abbey, John Blow. It sets Dryden’s poem of the same name, which describes how ‘the lark and linnet sing’ but then fall silent at the appearance of ‘the matchless man, our Orpheus’.



A sequence of Purcell’s solo songs and keyboard pieces and the deeply moving Evening Hymn complete this mix of mellifluous music, performed by English singers Iestyn Davies and Simon Wall. The duo are accompanied by members of the Academy of Ancient Music, led from the harpsichord by their Artistic Director Richard Egarr.



01. A celebration of Henry Purcell PtI

i. Suite in G major – excerpts

ii.  Hail, Bright Cecelia – ’Tis nature’s voice

iii. A New Ground

iv. Music for a while

v. Suite in D major – excerpts

vi. Sweeter than roses

01a. Introduction to the Purcell prom

01b. Interview with Richard Egarr

02. Blow - Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell

03. Purcell - Evening Hymn



Iestyn Davies (countertenor)

Simon Wall (tenor)

Members of the Academy of Ancient Music

Richard Egarr (harpsichord/director)



(From the BBC Proms, 7 September 2009)



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