PURCELL: Fantasias for the Viols, 1680 – Hespèrion XX – Jordi Savall, dessus de viole / Wieland Kuijken, basse de viole / Sophie Watillon, hautecontre de viole / Eunice Brandao, Sergi Casademunt, ténors de viole / Marianne Müller, Philippe Pierlot, basses de viole – Alia Vox multichannel SACD AVSA9859 / 54:10 ***** [Distr. by Harmonia mundi]:
Recorded in October 1994 at the Château de Cardona, Catalonia, this is the second in Alia Vox’s Heritage series of reissues, remastered from an earlier Naive release for an SACD release.
When Purcell wrote these works as a young man, new music for viol consort was thin on the ground as the violin and its family had come to the fore in recent years. Locke’s Fancies of 1660 were the last in a long line of Fantazias to find a publisher; Purcell’s works were never submitted for publication and went into print, in an edition by (Philip Heseltine) Peter Warlock, as late as 1927. Nonetheless they are the final crowning glory of a rich tradition spanning two centuries and, particularly in these vibrant performances, remain freshly minted.
This collection is one of contrasting moods. The In Nomine is based on a Cantus (Gloria tibi Trinitus) around which the counterpoint is spun. Most notable in these are the false relations which scrunch magnificently. Of the remaining pieces five are written in major keys, the majority therefore painting a melancholy picture so much associated with Purcell. The key of G minor, Mozart’s preference for tragedy, is used several times. However, the sun shines through warmly in those written in the major and the collection as presented provides a rich variety of pleasures.
The recordings, originally by Nicolas Bartholomée, have that live feel one expects from this source, and the instruments are presented with startling truthfulness in the rich acoustic. As is the norm with Alia Vox, the presentation is superb, the sumptuous booklet well illustrated in colour and with excellent and full notes by Harry Halbreich. Highly recommended.
TrackList:
1. Fantasia Upon One Note
THREE FANTASIAS IN 3 PARTS
2. Fantasia I
3. Fantasia II
4. Fantasia III
3 FANTASIAS IN 4 PARTS
5. Fantasia IV, June 10 1680
6. Fantasia V, June 11 1680
7. Fantasia VI, June 14 1680
8. In Nomine in 6 Parts
3 FANTASIAS IN 4 PARTS
9. Fantasia VII, June 19 1680
10. Fantasia VIII, June 22 1680
11. Fantasia IX, June 1680
3 FANTASIAS IN 4 PARTS
12. Fantasia X, June 30 1680
13. Fantasia XI, August 18 1680
14. Fantasia XII, August 31 1680
15. In Nomine in 7 Parts
— Peter Joelson
