Composer: Henry Purcell, Johann Sigismund Kusser
Performer: Sestina
Orchestra: Irish Baroque Orchestra
Conductor: Peter Whelan
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Linn
Catalogue: CKD685
Release: 2022
Size: 1.2 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Purcell: Great Parent, Hail!, Z 327
01. I. Overture
02. II. Great Parent, Hail!
03. III. Another Century Commencing
04. IV. After War’s Alarms Repeated
05. V. Awful Matron Take Thy Seat
06. VI. She Was the First Who Did Inspire
07. VII. Succeeding Princes Next Recite
08. VIII. But Chiefly Recommend to Fame
09. IX. Symphony
10. X. The Royal Patron Sung. Repair
11. XI. Then a Second Ormond’s Story
12. Purcell: A New Irish Tune Z 646, “Lilliburlero”
Kusser: The Universal Applause of Mount Parnassus
13. No. 1, Overture
14. No. 2, Recitativo. Such Harmony (Apollo)
15. No. 3, Aria. Tuneful Virgins (Apollo)
16. No. 4, A Ground. No Other, Than Immortal Lays (The Nine Muses & Apollo)
17. No. 5, Menuet & Recitativo. She Climbs the Highest Pyramids of Glory (Calliope)
18. No. 6, Aria. Anna’s Deathless Acts Rehearsing (Calliope)
19. No. 7, Recitativo. Whilst Providence Supports Her (Clio)
20. No. 8, Aria. Future Ages (Clio)
21. No. 9, Recitativo. She Shines With Heavenly Graces (Erato)
22. No. 10, Aria. British Ladies’ Matchless Charms (Erato)
23. No. 11, Chorus. The Bold Britons from Field When Returned
24. No. 12, Recitativo. Her Pleasing Aspect Charmeth! (Thalia)
25. No. 13, Aria. In Fortune’s Chariot Riding (Thalia)
26. No. 14, Recitativo. Her Conquering Arms Implored (Melpomene)
27. No. 15, Aria. Our Britain Never Gained (Melpomene)
28. No. 16, Recitativo. Let Her but Wish (Terpsichore)
29. No. 17, Aria. Fortune Caressing (Terpsichore)
30. No. 18, Chorus. True Loyalty’s All Shining
31. No. 19, Recitativo. These Tides of Joy O’erflowing (Euterpe)
32. No. 20, Aria. Laurels That Adorn Her (Euterpe)
33. No. 21, Recitativo. How Many Ways She Conquers (Polymnia)
34. No. 22, Aria. Brightest Star (Polymnia)
35. No. 23, Recitativo. Oh! Could She Ever Stay! (Urania)
36. No. 24, Aria. Britain Fear to Lose Her Glory (Urania)
37. No. 25, Recitativo. By Reason Anna Steereth (The Nine Muses & Apollo)
38. No. 26, Aria à 2 & Chorus. While the Wheels of Time Are Moving (Calliope & Apollo)
39. trad.: Sín síos agus suas liom
Continuing their investigation into the wealth of forgotten Baroque music from Ireland, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and its Music Director Peter Whelan now explore music by Cousser and Purcell.
Johann Sigismund Kusser or Cousser was a Hungarian composer who travelled to Dublin, via Germany, France and London. One of the most knowledgeable and respected operatic directors in Europe, he spent the last twenty years of his life in Dublin where he was “Chappel-Master of Trinity-Colledge” and “Master of the Irish State Musick” at Dublin Castle. His Serenata The Universal Applause of Mount Parnassus, given its premiere recording here, is an enormously colourful work composed for the birthday celebrations for Queen Anne in 1711. It is also the earliest extant example of operatic music composed in Dublin for Irish audiences.
Purcell wrote his Ode Great parent, hail! for the centenary of Trinity College Dublin in 1694 with a libretto by his collaborator and Trinity alum, Nahum Tate. This fascinating, little-known work contains some stunning music by Purcell. Its cautious tone delicately navigates the brittle political atmosphere in Dublin following the Glorious Revolution – the College having recently fallen for a time to the Jacobites. This recording will offer another huge surprise for those who know little of Ireland’s forgotten heritage in the art music.