|  |  | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Nice Collection Mar 05, 2007 I have many collections of Purcell's Music. This collection stands up to them at half the price. Solid buy.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
PERFECT! Oct 25, 2006 There is only a word with which I can describe this set of discs: perfect!
The only flaw there is, is not related to the singing or playing: no text enclosed.
12 of 12 found the following review helpful:
Great singing and excellent value for money Sep 19, 2004 This is probably one of the best anthologies of Purcell songs around, and not just because it's two-for-one pricing means it contains twice as much music (CD1:74'24" & CD2: 77'41")! Nancy Argenta has an irrepressible sense of style and crystal clear diction. But unlike Emma Kirby, whose vocal purity can become tiresome, these renditions radiate warmth. She is also, I have found, more consistently involving than any one of the singers in Hyperion's three disc survey of Complete Secular Songs (recently reissued as a single set). One marvels at how she judiciously balances restraint and emotional forthrightness. The accompaniments (archlute, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and organ) are well judged and blend with the voice, all helped by an excellently defined recording acoustic. This is an absolute winner at any price!
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres' Aug 02, 2001 Two CDs, totaling more than 150 minutes of sparsely-arranged (never more than 3-5 instruments at a time), sweetly-sung, 350 year old 'ayres' (a typically English form of secular music). Nancy Argenta's soprano voice is lovely, silvery indeed as her name implies. The instruments are a discreet but friendly accompaniment to her solo voice. Perhaps the instruments are a little too discreet -- there are times when I wish they were a touch more prominent. But that is a very, very minor complaint. A beautiful collection, and quite well worth the money.
|
|  |
|