The Sixteen and conductor Harry Christophers have been known for anthological and thematic recordings rather than for the more musicological type of album exploring a specific musical event, but the group has now devoted three recordings to the Royal Welcome Songs for King Charles II: essentially party music for the king's birthday and other festive happenings. There were substantial works, written for a complement of 24 musicians modeled on the French court's 24 Violins of the King. Christophers, for no apparent reason, ...
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The Sixteen and conductor Harry Christophers have been known for anthological and thematic recordings rather than for the more musicological type of album exploring a specific musical event, but the group has now devoted three recordings to the Royal Welcome Songs for King Charles II: essentially party music for the king's birthday and other festive happenings. There were substantial works, written for a complement of 24 musicians modeled on the French court's 24 Violins of the King. Christophers, for no apparent reason, cuts this down to 12 players, but his feel for Purcell is very good for a musician rooted in the Renaissance. The tunes are fetching, and the little contrapuntal details and daring harmonic feints are given their proper weight. The soloists are strong, and bass Stuart Young has some impressive low notes. The Welcome Songs, one with six movements and the other with eight, each opening with an instrumental Symphony, are framed by other short odes and instrumental works, and the overall...
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