June: Purcell - Hail, Bright Cecilia

[fergus]

I knew I was on dangerous ground with this selection, and sure enough it doesn't really seem to have captured the imagination here as much as some other works. Not to worry. Hopefully I've persuaded the non-believers to at least take another listen to Purcell, and maybe they'll find something new to enjoy.

Well done on a truly wonderful analysis Simon. I agree that you have picked a “difficult” one that may not have been main stream. However I think that you have been quite successful in convincing me at least of your choice. Enhancing the listening experience by highlighting what otherwise might have been hidden details has been a very particular success. I think that this may have been achieved by your individual approach of analysing from the score. I certainly have benefitted from this and I will definitely listen to this piece with new ears henceforth!

[DaveF]

I've been following this thread with interest Simon and the analysis has been A1! I'm still waiting on my CD to arrive from Amazon so I'll have plenty of notes to read through from here when it finally arrives.

[Diapason]

Thank you all. Much appreciated!

[DaveF]

This finally arrived midweek. Have it on play this evening. I quite like the introductory 'Symphony' movement.

[Diapason]

Excellent. Hope the notes prove useful!

[DaveF]

The 'Soul of the World' section was probably the highlight of the piece for me so far. Like Simon's notes pointed out it really does just arrive in a blaze of glory and it did catch me by surprise. I have to admit though that I struggled with the later half of this work and found it difficult to hold my attention. Can't quite put my finger on why, but I felt the piece was perhaps a bit too long in the end. I dont normally listen to this type of music anyway so thats probably why. I'll certainly go back to it again soon and surely the notes here will help out a great deal.

[Diapason]

I have the same problem with the second half, for what it's worth.

[fergus]

The problem has to do with all of that lies about the organ and the denigration of all of the other instruments!!!!!!!

[Diapason]

Fergus, would you care to step outside...?

:)

[DaveF]

Fergus, would you care to step outside...?

:)

I'll stand watch while you have a 'chat' with him.