Noted with Pleasure.

Purcell: 24 Odes and Welcome Songs.

Of the 24 Odes and Welcome Songs composed by Henry Purcell, the only ones with which your Tatler has been well familiar, until now, are those better known: Welcome to all Pleasures, Come Ye Sons of Art, Hail! Bright Cecelia etc. The collection seen in the release above contains a good number of the lesser-known odes and they are a wonderful find, every bit as melodic and superbly crafted as the better known ones.

One ode in particular made this some-time musician sit up abruptly and take notice, Number 24, The Glory of Earth and Darling of Heaven. Particularly striking is the composer’s use of descending chromatic harmonies. For those who don’t know what in hell your Tatler means by that, a paraphrase of a famous quote by Justice Potter Stewart (which concerns a different sort of entertainment) will serve: You will know it when you hear it, and you may hear it here. https://open.qobuz.com/track/148518283

These performances of the odes by Damian Guillion and Le Banquet Céleste are excellently done, using small forces, which research indicates were used at the time, giving them a sense of intimacy. Recommended.