Johathan Cohen Archive
John BLOW: “Begin the Song!”, “An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell”, “The Nymph of the wells”; Chaconne; Sonata – Simon Boden, Thomas Walker, tenors/ Arcangelo/ Jonathan Cohen – Hyperion
John BLOW: “Begin the Song!”, Chaconne a 4 in G major, “An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell”, “Ground in G minor”, “The Nymph of the wells”, Sonata in A major, “Dread Sir, the Prince of Light” – Simon Boden, tenor/ Thomas Walker, tenor/ Arcangelo/ Jonathan Cohen – Hyperion CDA 68149, 76:36 (9-29-2017) *****: This newest miracle of Restoration sound and poetry from Hyperion explores the world of John Blow, Gentleman of the Chapel of Charles II, with four odes and a tasty sampling of instrumental delights. The highlight must be the Ode on Purcell’s death, 20 minutes of alternating pairs of duets and solos in which Blow, following as closely as he can Dryden’s brilliant writing, transforms the somber occasion – “Alas too soon retir’d, as he too late began” – into visual experiences which demand music. The authentic sweetness of the singing by Boden and Walker in “We beg not hell our Orpheus to restore” and “The power of harmony too well they know” feels completely personal, as if intended for actual friends along with the larger public audience. This music might have been written for Arcangelo whose every member seems on board for a highly […]